Matches > 0708 > Friendlies > QPR
Date: 3rd August 2007 Kick off: 20:00 Venue: Loftus Road Attendance: 5,479 Referee: QPR
2
Fulham
1
Sahar (58, 68) FT McBride (10)
Fulham were defeated by two goals to one at Loftus Road on Friday evening. Two fine strikes by Ben Sahar in the second half punished the Whites in their final pre-season friendly ahead of next Sunday's Premiership opener at the Emirates.
It wa certainly a game of two halves. In the first period Brian McBride capitalised on some intelligent link up play between Fulham's midfield quartet and Sanchez' defence looked assured under pressure.
However Sahar stole the show with two clincal strikes in the second period, much to the delight of the home crowd. There was no shortage of atmoshpere inside the stadium, with over 1,000 Fulham fans making the journey to Loftus Road.
McBride was once again handed the captain's armband and Sanchez gave Lee Cook his first start in a Fulham jersey against his former club.
The home side made a promising start and Sahar highlighted his pedigree early on with some direct attacking play down the left flank in the opening exchanges.In the opening few minutes Rangers earned two consecutive corners and moments later produced the first clear cut opportunity of the game.
Former Fulham player Zesh Rehman produced a fine delivery into the area from deep. Dexter Blackstock latched onto the cross 8 yards from goal and sent the ball seering towards the far post. Fortunately for Fulham Niemi was alert and produced a fine fingertip save to send the ball round the post.
Despite QPR's early pressure it was Fulham who scored the opener after ten minutes of play. Davis, Smertin and Dempsey linked up well in midfield before the ball found Baird on the right flank. The defender sent a deep cross to the far post and Healy timed his run to perfection. The striker sent his header across goal towards the oncoming McBride who pounced from eight yards to send the ball into the far corner of the net.
McBride's goal settled Fulham who enjoyed some fine link-up play in midfield. However after 16 minutes the game was brought to a halt when Simon Walton fell awkwardly following a challenge on the half way line. There was immediate concern for Walton who was clearly in pain and moments later the player was stretchered from the field of play. John Gregory had no option but to replace Walton with Stefan Bailey.
Fulham’s central defence remained solid throughout the first period and Zat Knight produced several good interceptions during the first half. On 26 minutes the defender produced a fine piece of skill. Controlling a long ball towards the Fulham area Knight was immediately under pressure from QPR's strike force but the towering defender produced a cultured turn to alleviate any impeding danger.
The game was cetainly played at a frenetic pace with the edge of a Cup tie, highlighted by Zesh Rehman's booking on 27 minutes following a late challenge on Lee Cook.
Bocanegra delivered the resulting free-kick from Rehman's foul from the half way line. The ball drifted towards McBride and QPR keeper Camp. McBride, the aerial expert, produced a fine leap to win possession but the referee whislted for an infringement. McBride was poised to extend Fulham's lead with an overhead kick before the whistle blew.
Striker Healy was given his first chance on goal from 25 yards on 29 minutes. The striker controlled the ball before firing in a thunderous volley - once again Camp was alert to the danger and gathered with ease. The keeper's positioning on the night was faultless and denied Fulham on several occassions. Healy was in the wars during the first period with some no-nonsense marking from QPR’s back-line.
However Healy's character shone through despite the lack of opportunities infront of goal. He persevered with every lost cause and on 35 minutes his efforts almost doubled Fulham’s lead. The striker raced after a long ball into QPR’s area and won possession against the odds before teeing up McBride, unmarked in the middle of the area. McBride controlled the ball but failed to gain the pace and direction to beat Camp.
McBride’s goal gave Fulham a half-time lead going but Ben Sahar's early promise was to come to fruition in the second period and Fulham paid dearly.
Lawrie Sanchez made one change for the second half, replacing Lee Cook with Moritz Volz. Bocanegra shifted to left back with Konchesky moving forward to left midfield. Volz took up his position at right back.
Rangers once again made a bright start but failed to find a cutting edge in the final third. On 51 minutes the home side produced two opportunities to bring the game level. A delivery to the far post swept across goal and evaded Rangers front line. Sahar collected on the far post and fired the ball over the bar from a tight angle jsut inside the left byline.
Two minutes later Brian McBride was sent through on goal following a defensive error by Rangers. 12 yards from goal on the left of the area McBride fired his shot straight at Camp who saved with ease.
On 58 minutes QPR drew level. As the ball was played along the Whites back line Sahar dispossessed Zat Knight on the edge of the area. The striker raced into the area before smashing the ball past Niemi and into the roof of the net.
Five minutes later Sanchez made four changes to the spine of his team. In goal Tony Warner replaced Niemi. Ian Pearce came on for Zat Knight, Bouba Diop replaced Davis in midfield and Collins John came on for Healy.
The home side increased their lead on 68 minutes with another fine finish from Ben Sahar. After winning the ball in the area the striker showed good composure in front of goal before side footed the ball past Niemi into the far corner of the net. Sahar was replaced by Adam Bolder shortly after grabbing his brace.
Sanchez made one further change to his eleven 15 minutes before time with Liam Rosenior replacing Clint Dempsey on the right hand side of midfield.
Collins John almost brought the game level following Paul Konchesky’s surging run down the left. A sweet delivery into the area found John but his downward header from 12 yards was well covered by Camp in goal.
On 81 minutes Rosenior burst down the right flank and produced a cross to the near post. McBride raced in and clipped the ball under Camp from close range. The bounce took the ball flying over the bar and McBride was unfortunate not to add to his first half strike.
On 87 minutes Diop was bundled over 25 yards from goal in a central position. Diop lined up a 15 yard run up but it was Konchesky who sent a left footed strike directly into the wall. As full-time approached Fulham’s chances were few and far between and QPR held on to earn a 2-1 victory over Fulham.
Following Friday's game Lawrie Sanchez' side will return to Motspur Park for their final week of training before next Sunday’s Premiership opener against Arsenal.
Fulham Team
Antti Niemi, Chris Baird, Paul Konchesky, Carlos Bocanegra, Zat Knight, Steven Davis, Alexey Smertin, David Healy, Brian McBride, Lee Cook
Substitutes: Tony Warner, Elliot Omozusi, Papa Bouba Diop, Collins John, Liam Rosenior, Moritz Volz, Ian Pearce, Philippe Christanval
QPR Team
Lee Camp, Chris Barker, Zesh Rehman, Damion Stewart, Michael Mancienne, Adam Bolder, Dexter Blackstock, Martin Rowlands, Ben Sahar, Stefan Moore, Simon Walton
Substitutes: Jake Cole (gk), Marcus Bignot, Daniel Nardiello, James Simmonds, Dominic Shimmin, Marc Nygaard, Kieron Minto-St Aimie, Shabazz Baidoo, Stefan Bailey, Sampsa Timoska
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Read more:
www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0708/Friendlies/QPR.aspx#ixzz0noeEbU2m
Well if we dont look at the past, we are destined to repeat it. Hopefully we will avoid these kinds of players in future. 
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