International Ambitions (Part Two)

If Bolton was to get anything out of the game their manager Gary Megson had to be more adventurous and re-organise the shambolic defence. Another of Fulham’s summer captures, Ghanaian international John Pantsil, endeared himself further to his new fans by blocking Ricardo Gardner’s effort from the edge of the area. After six minutes Rahamat Riga Mustapha finally got his chance to impress Megson and further his international ambitions that had been revived by Claude le Roy’s decision to quit Ghana for Oman and new coach Milovan Rajevac expressing an interest in him, but Riga knew that his hopes of representing the Black Stars required playing time. He needed to impress, but two minutes later Bolton captain Kevin Nolan was deservedly booked for a rustic challenge on Jimmy Bullard that forced the Fulham midfielder off for treatment after telling Nolan exactly what he thought of his challenge. Nolan’s every touch was jeered from then on and the previous recipients of their derision were ignored. Shortly after Bullard returned to action to the cheers of Fulham’s supporters the ball broke to Simon Davies who let a twenty-five yard shot fly, but was denied by a fine save from the excellent Jussi Jääskeläinen. Fulham spurned further chances or were denied by Jääskeläinen’s heroics either side of Megson’s second substitution, which saw Grétar Steinsson make way for Heiðar Helguson with just under half an hour remaining. Pantsil earned further plaudits for an impressive bit of juggling the ball on his head before crossing into the area, but the danger was efficiently stubbed out for a change, so did Fulham manager Roy Hodgson encourage his enterprising right-back to try that in training? “No,” Hodgson told us, mortified by the suggestion.

Slightly earlier Pantsil’s cross was met by Zoltán Gera who managed to beat Jääskeläinen but not the crossbar. Johnson’s match ended to a huge ovation after seventy-five minutes, as Hodgson introduced South Korean international Ki-Hyeon Seol, but Fulham’s malaise returned to haunt to them as they settled for what they had. In a pre-season friendly they let slip a two goal cushion against Torino in the last ten minutes much to Hodgson’s disgust. Fulham had been comfortable in possession and played attacking football, but their concentration lapsed sufficiently to allow Bolton a way back into the match. It was fitting that the magnificent Jääskeläinen got the assist, or should have done on eighty-two minutes. His long kick was headed towards goal by Kevin Davies, but Helguson was credited with getting a slight touch to help it past Mark Schwarzer, yet the replays proved that it was Davies’ goal despite Megson crediting it to Helguson. Two minutes later Zamora departed to a rapturous reception, replaced by Erik Nevland and for probably the first time in the match Bolton sensed that they could actually nick a point. With three minutes remaining Riga who had been unselfish in his running and passing finally mustered a shot, but it failed to trouble Schwarzer. Meanwhile, Seol earned a booking from referee Steve Tanner for a foolhardy challenge on Joey O’Brien and Simon Davies had the opportunity to make the points safe in the final minute with only Jääskeläinen to beat, but yet again, the Finnish keeper kept his team’s slender hopes alive briefly. Tanner called a halt to proceedings shortly afterwards, so had Riga impressed his new manager and boosted his international ambitions – not if Megson’s post-match press conference is anything to go by.