Sport

Fulham fail to impress at home

Fulham - 2 Hajduk Split - 2 If Fulham are to fulfil Mohamed Al Fayed's ambitions and become a force in Europe, they are going…

Fri Oct 04 2002 - 01:00

Fulham - 2 Hajduk Split - 2 If Fulham are to fulfil Mohamed Al Fayed's ambitions and become a force in Europe, they are going to have to play better than they did here last night.

After qualifying for the UEFA Cup via the marathon that is the Intertoto Cup and with a 1-0 away win in the first leg, qualification for the second round should have been a formality.

Hadjuk Split may have won the Croatian title four times in the last 10 years, but would not have expected the opportunities offered them by a generous, if under-strength Fulham defence. Split may not have scored in the home leg two weeks ago, but it took them just six minutes to level the tie.

Rufus Brevett gave away a needless free-kick and Vlatko Dolonga's 25-yard shot flew into the net, courtesy of a deflection off Sean Davis.

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Fulham's defence looked fragile, missing both Republic of Ireland international Steve Finnan with knee problems, and Alain Goma.

Steve Marlet put Fulham ahead on aggregate in the 20th minute. Luis Boa Morte played the ball to Steed Malbranque, and his pass was threaded through to Facundo Sava inside the box. Hrvoje Vukovic stuck out a leg to deny the Argentinian a shooting chance, but the ball went across the area and Marlet fired in from six yards.

The Croatians went ahead again five minutes from the interval. Mario Carevic swung in a corner from the left and Hrvoje Vejic had the freedom of west London to head past Edwin van der Sar.

But Fulham were level on the evening two minutes later. Malbranque played the ball out to Marlet who fell under Vejic's challenge in the area and referee Stefano Farina pointed to the spot.

FULHAM: Van der Sar, Brevett, Melville, Knight, Ouaddou, Boa Morte (Inamoto 68), Malbranque, Legwinski, Davis, Marlet, Sava (Hayles 75). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Clark, Collins, Wome, Leacock. Booked: Melville, Brevett. Goals: Marlet 20, Malbranque 44.

HAJDUK SPLIT: Pletikosa, Vejic, Vukovic, Neretljak, Djolonga, Carevic (Mise 84), Andric, Srna, Miladin, Bule, Deranja (Racunica 72). Subs Not Used: Runje, Piric, Radeljic, Brgles, Gudelj. Booked: Carevic, Neretljak, Srna.Goals: Djolonga 6, Vejic 41.

Referee: S Farina (Alessandria).