• Europa League

Dembele still backs Fulham to qualify

ESPNsoccernet staff
December 1, 2011
Moussa Dembele still expects qualification
Enlarge

Moussa Dembele believes Fulham can overcome the disappointment of Thursday night's Europa League defeat and qualify for the last 32 of the competition.

Marc Janko stabbed home an 89th-minute goal to give FC Twente a 1-0 win which ensures they will finish top of Group K.

However, Fulham will join them in the knockout stages if they win their final group match at home to Odense on December 14.

Dembele, 24, told ESPN: "Everybody will work hard enough to win the final game. It's very important to us and I think we'll win it.''

On their setback in Holland, the Belgian said: "We tried to play our way and we would have been happy to take a point, but Twente had most of the game so maybe they deserved to win.

"What happened at the end is a bit disappointing for us, but we're not playing badly as a team.''

Martin Jol also confirmed that midfielder Damien Duff suffered a calf injury during the match, but no news on how long the midfielder will be out for is expected until he is evaluated back in London.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close