Fulham face an uphill battle this Sunday to keep alive their dreams of European football after failing to score against FC Haka in the Intertoto Cup last Saturday.

Jean Tigana fielded an attacking side for the first-leg clash at Craven Cottage, including his new summer signing Facundo Sava.

But, as so often last season, Fulham could not find a way to goal thanks to the woodwork and some brilliant goalkeeping from Mihail Slawuta.

Steve Marlet and Louis Saha both saw efforts hit the bar and Saha also had a claim for a penalty turned down in the 82nd minute, when he was unable to get on to the end of Luis Boa Morte's cross following some close, physical attention from his marker.

So despite dominating the play in front of a disappointing crowd of 7,908, Fulham had to settle for a 0-0 draw.

Now they will have their work cut out in the second leg, particularly as Haka's star striker Valeri Popovitch will be available for the Finns.

Popovitch did not travel to west London with Olli Huttunen's squad because of his fear of flying, but on Sunday will certainly be looking to give Fulham's back-line some problems.

Meanwhile, Fulham Ladies' Australian forward Kristy Moore has been named in the England squad for a friendly against Nigeria at Carrow Road on July 23.

Moore, whose mother is English, represented her native Australia in training matches in 1997. But if FIFA decide these matches were not official, she would be eligible to play for England.

Rachel McArthur, Mary Phillip, Rachel Unitt, Katie Chapman, Rachel Yankey and Una Nwajei have also been named in the squad.

July 12, 2002 11:00