Fulham rounded off their summer tour of Costa Rica with a penalty shoot-out success over Deportivo Saprissa following an entertaining 2-2 draw. Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega converted the decisive spot-kick to ensure the Premier League side’s three-match trip to central America ended on a high.
Martin Jol’s men had to come from behind after David Ramirez fired Saprissa in front after clinically finishing a one-on-one against David Stockdale. But the lead lasted just three minutes before home favourite Bryan Ruiz latched onto a lovely through ball from Rodallega, rolled away from a couple of defenders and stroked in an equaliser. The visitors headed into half time with a lead after Rodallega emphatically headed home Mesca’s cross.
The Costa Ricans were far from overawed by their English opposition. Ramirez nearly grabbed a second of the evening with an ambitious acrobatic overhead kick flew inches wide of the far post and they did level matters midway through the second half when Diego Estrada created some space in a crowded penalty area with a brilliant bit of close control and thumped a shot in off the post.
There were no further goals so the match was decided from the penalty spot. Fulham’s spot kicks were faultless with Giorgos Karagounis, Ruiz, Riether and Ashkan Dejagah all converting before Rodriguez fired his well over the bar, allowing Rodallega to seal the win.
DEPORTIVO SAPRISSA (4-4-2): Grant; Smith, Hernandez; Guzmán; Robinson, Sequeira; Escoe; Russell; Estrada; Rodriguez, Vega. Subs (not used): De Lemos, Flores, Barquero, Golobio, Colindres.
GOALS: Rodriguez (26), Estrada (69).
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Stockdale; Riether, Riise (Briggs 72), Senderos, Amorebieta; Karagounis, Sidwell (Boateng 55); Duff (Kasami 78), Mesca (Dejagah 72), Ruiz; Rodallega. Subs (not used): Stekelenburg, Etheridge, Hughes, Christensen, Richardson, David, Trotta, Tankovic.
BOOKED: Senderos.
GOALS: Ruiz (29), Rodallega (39).
