SINCE 1998
"It's been updated!"
 

0 users online

Aigelou v Fulham - Match Preview

last updated Saturday 27th July 2002, 7:08 PM
Fulham midfielder John Collins has warned his team-mates that their job is only half done against minnows Aigelou.

The Cottagers beat the Greek side 1-0 in the first leg of their Intertoto Cup third round tie at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

But Collins, who is likely to continue as Fulham captain, says his side will face a tough task in the stifling heat of Greece.

"There's no doubt Aigaleo are a better team than FC Haka, both in terms of organisation and technical ability," Collins said.

John Collins
John Collins
"But I'm very confident about the match. We've got forward players with pace, so we can sit back a bit and bring them on to us.

"That will create space in behind them that our forwards can use.

"We dominated the first game on Saturday and once again should have scored more goals.

"But the important thing in Europe is not to concede at home. We didn't and now we're in the driving seat and hoping to go to Greece and finish the job."

If Collins & Co master the stifling heat in Greece in the Saturday evening kick-off - they will be just four games away - the two-legged semi and final - from a place in the UEFA Cup.

The first leg of a last four clash would be at Loftus Road on Wednesday, almost certainly against French side Sochaux.

And Collins believes his men will start their two year ground share with QPR with that fixture.

Junichi Inamoto and Martin Djetou are being made to wait for their Fulham debuts after Jean Tigana decided not to take the duo to Greece.
Japan World Cup star Inamoto and Frenchman Djetou had been hoping to make their Fulham bow against Aegaleo in the Intertoto Cup on Saturday.

However, Cottagers chief Tigana has opted to leave the pair behind when the rest of the squad jet off for Athens on Friday.

Despite already taking part in pre-season training since completing his move earlier this month, Inamoto has been told he is not yet ready for first-team action and instead could be asked to play in a reserve match this weekend.

Steve Finnan and Rufus Brevett will miss the tie against Aegaleo with flu and a stomach injury respectively.

Republic of Ireland international Finnan returned to training this week after an extended holiday following his efforts in this summer's World Cup.

But the player's absence from action will continue as he is in bed with flu, thus preventing him travelling to Greece with the rest of the squad.

A stomach injury is keeping Brevett away from the action and, after not featuring in any of the club's pre-season matches, the defender will be desperate to be in contention for the first league game of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Lee Clark is still out with an Achilles problem and Maik Taylor is also absent as he is nursing a slight hamstring strain.
Source