Fulham (1) 3 Bologna (1) 1 Agg: 5-3
Junichi Inamoto may not have settled at Highbury but, at Fulham's adopted home of Loftus Road last night, he delivered the club into a major European competition for the first time, with an outstanding hat-trick.
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Fulham striker Facundo Sava combined well with hattrick hero Junichi Inamoto
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His three goals, two of which came in the opening five minutes of the second half, earned Fulham success in the InterToto Cup final and, more importantly, a place in Friday's UEFA Cup draw.
Inamoto, unwanted by Arsenal, had scored Fulham's first goal in Italy and, within 12 minutes of the return leg, the Japanese World Cup favourite began and finished a simple, yet effective, move.
Luis Boa Morte had already gone close when Inamoto, starting a game for Fulham for the first time, exchanged passes with Facundo Sava before beating former Italian international goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca.
Bologna, held to a 2-2 draw in the Stadio Renato Dall'ara a fortnight earlier, appeared unsettled by Fulham's early determination and many of their challenges were robust.
When Fulham responded in the shape of a solid tackle by Sylvain Legwinski - who was cautioned - on Bologna captain Guiseppe Signori, the histrionics displayed by the striker, who scored two penalties in the first leg, were unnecessary and disappointing, and infuriated the vocal Fulham supporters.
Fulham came close to extending their aggregate advantage further when Rufus Brevett's cross found Steve Marlet's head, but Pagliuca parried the attempt.
However, their aspirations suffered a setback in the 34th minute when Bologna restored aggregate parity as a shot from Tomas Locatelli was deflected beyond Edwin van der Sar.
Fulham were stung into action and, within 75 seconds of the restart, Inamoto scored again, delivering a stunning right-foot volley from 20 yards.
He completed a memorable night when, in the 50th minute, he claimed his hat-trick, following up after Pagliuca had saved his initial shot.
Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Brevett, Knight, Goma, Inamoto (Malbranque 72), Marlet (Saha 72), Legwinski, Sava, Davis (Collins 74), Boa Morte.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Melville, Hayles, Ouaddou.
Booked: Legwinski, Finnan.
Goals: Inamoto 12, 47, 50.
Bologna: Pagliuca, Zaccardo, Olive, Castellini, Nervo, Colucci, Cruz, Signori (Bellucci 61), Falcone, Locatelli (Frara 78), Paramatti (Smit 78).
Subs Not Used: Coppola, Gamberini, Goretti, Meghni.
Booked: Olive, Nervo, Colucci.
Goals: Locatelli 34.
Agg (5-3)
Att: 13,756
Ref: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).
Source D. Telegraph by John Ley