Fulham lose the opening match of the Barclays Asia Trophy
Match Summary
Portsmouth claimed victory over Fulham in the opening game of the Barclays Asia Trophy thanks to a first half strike from Benjani at the Hong Kong Stadium.
First Half Teams
First Half Action
1 min: Pompey get the Barclays Asia Trophy underway at the Hong Kong Stadium. Despite the intense humidity the game starts with a high tempo.
4 min: Dempsey, selected on the left hand side of midfield, shows superb vision early on with a 30 yard cross-field pass to McBride. The pace of the ball beats the American striker but an impressive piece of skill from Dempsey.
5 min: David Nugent almost breaks the deadlock. One on one with Warner, Pompey’s star summer signing fails to gain any power on his shot and Warner saves with ease.
10 min: Kamara finds McBride on the edge of the Pompey area and Lauren dumps the American to the floor. Davies steps up but sends his free kick against the wall from 35 yards.
17 min: Campbell clatters through the back of Kamara catching his calf, the striker takes a few minutes to run off the knock.
21 min: The energetic Davies finds Dempsey on the edge of the area and the American fires in a right footed shot from 25 yards. James is positioned well and smothers the shot.
25 min: Time for a break. The referee calls a water break and a moment's rest. Despite the players being shaded by the stadium, the humidity is intense.
29 min: Kamara finds Smertin in the area and the Russian plays a cute back heel to put the overlapping Davies through on goal. Davies' shot across goal is saved by James.
32 min: More good work down the right from Davies. His cross finds McBride in the area with his back to goal. McBride sends a looping shot over his shoulder which is easily saved by James.
42 min: Fulham create the best chance of the game. The impressive Davies overlaps on the right before sending in a dangerous cross. Dempsey races in at the far post and meets the ball with a diving header. James instinctively parries the ball away before Davis smashes it over the bar.
43 min: Dempsey almost breaks the deadlock for the second time in a matter of seconds. Another cross from the right finds the American in the area but his snap shot on goal from 10 yards is blocked by Campbell. Fulham’s brightest spell of the game.
44 min: GOAL PORTSMOUTH. The Whites good work is undone when Benjani scores the first goal of the Asia Trophy right before the break. Kranjear’s shot from 25 yards rebounds off Zat Knight in the area, Benjani reacts first and sweeps the ball past Warner from 12 yards.
Half Time: Portmouth 1 Fulham 0
Second Half Action
45 Min: Lawrie Sanchez introduces Batista for Warner for the start of the second half. Fulham get the second period underway.
52 min: Pompey substitute Lua Lua picks the ball up in his own half and runs at Fulham's defence before picking out the unmarked Mendes on the right hand side. Mendes sends in a cross to the far post but Zat Knight stretches to put the ball past the post.
53 min: Matty Taylor shows his shooting pedigree with a 30 yard left footed strike which dips over Batista's bar.
55 min: Kamara gets his first opportunity of the game. Driving forward the Senegalese international bursts into the box but his chip is superbly saved by James.
57 min: Collins John comes on for McBride and Healy replaces Kamara in attack. Seconds later Kinght is left grounded and in clear pain after being caught by Lua Lua.
59 min: A Pompey corner causes havoc and Fulham are lucky to escape going two down. Knight returns to the field after receiving attention.
51 min: Superb skill on the left from Dempsey who faints his marker and sends in a superb inswinging cross which John fails to reach.
65 min: Healy gets his first chance on goal in the area but Campbell adds enough pressure to put the striker off and Healy fails to find the target.
66 min: Liam Rosenior replaces Simon Davies and Smertin comes off for Papa Bouba Diop.
69 min: Fulham look for the equaliser and John goes close, firing over James' bar from 12 yards with a volley on the stretch.
76 min: Diop almost brings the game level with a 30 yard strike. After good pressure down the left Diop sets himself before unleashing a powerful drive on goal. James, positioned well, smothers the ball and Portsmouth retain the lead.
79 min: Michael Timlin replaces Clint Dempsey for the final ten minutes of the game on Fulham's left flank.
83 min: Diop plays Healy through for a one-on-one with James but the striker is adjudged offside.
90 min: Two minutes injury time for Fulham to find an equaliser. Zat Knight's ankle causes the centre back further trouble following an earlier knock and the defender requires treatment.
92 min: Taylor almost makes it two with a 25 yard shot from the left which grazes Batista's far post.
Full Time: Portsmouth 1 Fulham 0
