CSKA Sofia 1 Fulham 1: match report

17 September 2009 20:32
Diomansy Kamara pounced to secure Fulham a creditable draw in their Europa League clash with CSKA Sofia at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. [LNB]Apart from a worrying spell after the interval that kickstarted a lively second half, Fulham were never overwhelmed and responded superbly to Michel's fine 62nd-minute opener. [LNB]CSKA were cranking up the pressure only to be caught on the break three minutes later, Erik Nevland finding Kamara who rifled home in front of 260 travelling fans for his first goal of the season. [LNB]It was a sweet strike for Kamara, who has become unsettled at Craven Cottage since slipping down the pecking order with reports linking him with a loan move to Newcastle. [LNB]Manager Roy Hodgson fielded a severely-depleted side for the Group E opener with key players such as Andy Johnson, Brede Hangeland and Danny Murphy absent. [LNB]Only goalkeeper David Stockdale and defender John Pantsil remained from the side that dispatched Everton 2-1 on Sunday, but the makeshift line-up coped admirably with the Bulgarian league leaders. [LNB]The introduction of an additional assistant referee alongside each goal passed without incident, though in a dismal first half this owed much to the lack of action in the penalty area. [LNB]Ivan Stoyanov provided one of the few highlights when he reacted smartly to some careless play by Fulham, linking neatly with Yordan Todorov before firing narrowly wide of the left post. [LNB]The Bulgarian club looked a different outfit after the interval, attacking with purpose and flair. Spas Delev butchered a magnificent chance created by the influential Marquinhos, but CSKA did not have to wait much longer for a goal. [LNB]Growing increasingly ragged, Marquinhos chested the ball down to Brazilian Michel whose nickname is Platini after the cultuered former Juventus midfielder who buried the half-volley from the edge of the area for an impressive strike that the home fans celebrated wildly. [LNB]The lead lasted just three minutes, however, as the bounce of Nevland's pass deceived Ivan Karadzhov and Kamara was able to skip away from the keeper before finding an empty net. [LNB]Stockdale produced a stunning save to deny Todorov, showing lightning reflexes to palm the ball over the crossbar. [LNB]The game continued to be played at pace but chances dried up and Fulham were able to celebrate their share of the spoils. [LNB]Match details[LNB]CSKA Sofia: Karadzhov, Kostadin Stoyanov, Minev, Kotev, Ivanov, Todorov, Yanev (Vladimir Manchev 78), Morozs (Marquinhos h-t), Yanchev, Ivan Stoyanov (Michel 54), Delev.Subs: Ivaylo Petrov (g), Vidanov, Timonov, Branekov.Booked: Minev, Michel, Marquinhos. Fulham: Stockdale, Kelly, Pantsil, Baird, Smalling, Gera, Riise, Greening, Davies, Kamara, Nevland. Subs: Zuberbuhler (g), Watts, Saunders, Anderson, Uwezu, Marsh-Brown, Smith.Booked: Greening, Smalling, Kamara.Referee: D Ceferin (Slovenia).[LNB] 

Source: Telegraph