Starting Formations

Fulham
4-4-2

Johnson      Zamora

Seol      Andranik      Murphy      Gera

Kallio      Hughes      Baird      Pantsil

Schwarzer

Melbourne Victory
4-4-2

Thompson     Allsop

Pondeliak    Hernandez   Broxham     Ward

Berger     Vargas      Muscat      Kemp

Langerak

Match Report

The second game of Fulham’s pre-season took place on Saturday evening in the impressive Etihad Stadium, home of A League champions Melbourne Victory.

 

After the focus of the Gold Coast fixture earlier in the week had been about giving match practice to as many players as possible, Roy Hodgson named a more familiar looking starting XI for this fixture, with Mark Schwarzer in goal, marshalled by a defence of Pantsil, Hughes, Baird and Kallio.

 

Danny Murphy and Andranik lined up in the centre of midfield, with Seol Ki-Hyeon and Zoltan Gera on the flanks, whilst Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora lead the line under the closed roof.

 

Chris Smalling was the only member of the squad not named as a substitute as he nursed an ankle knock picked up in training.

 

The game began at a fast pace with Victory taking the game to their visitors from the off. Some purposeful running from Archie Thompson created a chance for Allsop, which was deflected wide for a corner.

 

The resultant set-piece found the head of Thompson and Schwarzer was required to make an early save to pluck the ball away and deny Melbourne what would have been a dream start in the second minute.

 

Thompson was clearly looking to make an impression and minutes later the striker, who holds the world record for most goals in an international fixture (13), made a daring run from inside his own half, outstripping the Whites’ left side. However, upon reaching the goal area, his shot lacked quality and didn’t trouble the ‘keeper.

 

The frontman was involved again on 10 minutes when the ball broke loose into the area after some scrappy play. On the right side of the goal, he took a touch before playing a low cross into a packed area. Schwarzer got down to it, but the ball escaped his hands and had to be half-scrapped away by Aaron Hughes.

 

In the melee that followed, the Whites conceded a free-kick within shooting distance, but Leigh Broxham’s tame effort was easily clutched by Schwarzer.

 

It wasn’t all one way traffic though. Fulham were enjoying some possession, but their hosts were holding the line well and restricting Fulham invention. There was a half-chance for Andy Johnson on 15 minutes though as he persisted and chased a long ball forward. The Victory defence stood static as the keeper, Langerak, was the only one seemingly sensing danger as he raced out of his box to head away as AJ bared down.

 

Immediately at the other end though, Allsopp found himself with an opportunity on the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

 

There was another close call on 23 minutes when Kevin Muscat chipped a cute free-kick over the top of the Fulham defence. Thompson tried to get on the end of it but couldn’t quite reach the ball before it ran out of play, thankfully thwarting what would have been a one-on-one situation.

 

From the resulting goal kick, Fulham countered, with AJ making good progress down the right before reaching the by-line. His low cross was forced out for a corner though, and Seol couldn’t quite get his head to the cross that followed.

 

The Whites’ more recognisable First Team faces seemed to be finding their stride as the half progressed, showing some confident touches and proving that their confidence was too resilient to be dented by Melbourne’s early endeavour. Andy Johnson in particular appeared hungry as he chased every ball with trademark pace. Indeed, he was unlucky on one occasion to be adjudged offside when through on goal.

 

However, he got his reward just after the half hour mark when he ran on to a superb lofted Murphy through pass. After taking a touch in the box, he was knocked to the floor by the Melbourne keeper and the referee made no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

AJ himself dusted himself off to take the kick and neatly despatched it low to the keeper’s left. 1-0.

 

The goal seemed to deflate Melbourne a little and the Whites began to enjoy their most sustained period of pressure. And there was a chance to double the advantage just before the break.

 

Pantsil delivered a cross from the right, which Zamora dummied in the centre. This fooled the defence, and Andranik, but landed neatly for Seol. The Korean couldn’t quite bring the ball under full control, however, and his shot failed to trouble the keeper as it flew yards over.

 

 

 

 

Roy Hodgson made just one change at the break, introducing Stephen Kelly for Toni Kallio. John Pantsil moved to left-back allowing the Irishman to slot in on the right.

 

The second period began quietly, but there was a chance for Nick Ward three minutes in as the midfielder raced on to a flicked header, and took a shot on the half-volley. His effort only found the side netting however.

 

Minutes later, it was Johnson through again as Murphy played another exquisite long pass over the top. Langerak was alert again though, charging off his line and sliding in to boot the ball out of AJ’s control.

 

On 56 minutes Fulham had a glorious opportunity to go two up. AJ made the most of a defensive mix up wide on the left and had the vision to spray a long pass far right to Zoltan Gera. The Hungarian cut inside the full-back and squared the ball to Bobby Zamora whose low shot beat the keeper, but was stopped on the line by the outstretched boot of a defender, before Langerak smothered it, ending the attack.

 

Just after the hour Melbourne had their best chance to level the scores. Pondeljak’s cross was chested down by Allsopp, but the striker stumbled and the ball fell for Thompson, just yards out. However, the striker’s golden opportunity deflected off the bar and over.

 

Seconds later Roy made three changes, bringing on Eddie Johnson, Erik Nevland and David Stockdale for Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson and Mark Schwarzer.

 

And the freshly introduced Johnson made an immediate impact. Racing on to an Andranik ball through the middle the American striker fired confidently into the back of the net. 2-0.

 

On 72 minutes, Fulham moved into a very commanding advantage. Seol dispossessed Vasilevski on the left of the area and flicked a cool pass with the outside of his boot into the path of Nevland who dispatched with characteristic efficiency to make it three.

 

With a comfortable lead, Roy was able to make the remainder of his changes in the confidence the result was secure. On came Freddie Stoor for Zoltan Gera, shortly followed by youngsters Adrian Leijer, Matthew Briggs and Matt Saunders for Pantsil, Murphy and Andranik.

 

With the game reaching its final stages, and the result all but decided, the pace slowed somewhat as Fulham looked content and Melbourne Victory deflated.

 

But Erik Nevland had an opportunity to give the scoreline even more gloss as he found himself one-on-one with the keeper with minutes remaining. However, rather than place the ball in his trademark fashion, he attempted to lob the keeper with a delicate half volley, only to see it rebound back off the crossbar. After the many moments of clinical finishing Erik has given us though, one couldn’t begrudge him attempting his moment of the spectacular.

 

And that was the last real chance of a game which Fulham can be very happy with. They rode the early storm presented them by their hosts and gradually assumed control of the game as their confidence grew and sure signs of fitness and improved touch were evident.

 

In just three days, Roy’s boys have come along way and will hope for yet more improvement when they face Perth Glory on Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

Fulham

Schwarzer (Stockdale 64); Pantsil (Briggs 78), Hughes, Baird, Kallio (Kelly 45); Gera (Stoor 74), Murphy (Saunders 78), Andranik (Leijer 78), Seol; Zamora (Nevland 64), A. Johnson (E. Johnson 64).