Fulham Advance In Europa League With Emphatic Scoreless Draw Against NSI Runavik

Ok, the headline is more than a little sarcastic, but it matters not. Fulham are through to the second round of Europa League qualifying after drawing NSI Runavik 0-0 on the road today. Fulham takes the tie via a 3-0 aggregiate score.

Though the tie was never in doubt Martin Jol was rightfully disappointed that his squad was unable to post an away goal against their Faroese opposition.

"It’s not easy playing here but I feel if you create six or seven chances in the first half you should score.

"In the first half we had seven or eight good chances and we have to be more productive and eager to score. In the second half I think we only had two chances which weren’t enough.

"We have to get fitter and more creative and come up with solutions. In this sort of game you need players that can make a difference and we didn’t have that today."

Perhaps a manifestation of the club's historical road woes? Hopefully not, and merely just a blip on the pseudo-preseason radar.

More after the jump.

NSI were, once again, resolute in defense, playing compact, and the part-timers did well to keep their professional foes at bay. And though the score may not reflect Fulham's dominance, the total shot count of 20-3, and 6-0 on target, along with an 8-0 advantage in corners further reflected Fulham's dominance and inability to finish.

Still, Jol came away relatively impressed with the quality of NSI's play.

"It was better than we expected and the team was probably better than we expected. There are a few good young players, not for the Premier League I feel, but they’re good players."

The match also served as a debut for 17-year-old striker Kerim Frei, who was introduced in the 72nd minute for a snake-bitten Andy Johnson. 

"I feel very proud to have been given a chance by the Manager tonight," Kerim told fulhamfc.com after the game.

"The Manager told me he wanted me to play like a real number 10 and get in the space and have a go. I tried to do that tonight. I gave my best tonight and I had a few chances."

Danny Murphy and Aaron Hughes remained behind in London while Clint Dempsey, Carlos Salcido and Moussa Dembele remained away on leave.

With the victory, Fulham moves on to face Northern Ireland Premier League side Crusaders in the second round of the Europa League qualifying rounds. The first match will be in Belfast on July 14, while the mighty, mighty Whites will host the return leg on July 21.