The west Londoners' passage to the Europa League second qualifying round seems virtually secure after Damien Duff, Danny Murphy and Andrew Johnson scored in a comfortable 3-0 win at Craven Cottage.

However, wayward finishing and a superb performance from NSI goalkeeper Andras Gango prevented the home side ending with a scoreline that would have better reflected their dominance.

"We started off brightly the first five minutes and then it was difficult to find the spare man up front," said Jol.

"The second half was better.

"If there was no possibility to play it up to Andy or Bobby [Zamora] you have to play down the flanks and the second half was better.

"The only disappointing thing that we only scored three goals but I will forgive them because they were a bit tired.

"We have had a good week and trained hard.

"If I say [it is job done], you will tell everyone I said the job was done so I will say it's a good score."

Fulham will have to play a further 22 matches if they are to repeat their 2010 heroics, when they upset the odds to secure a place in the final against Atletico Madrid.

Tonight's game against NSI marked the start of an 11-month season for Jol and his troops, which some fear could see them struggle in the Barclays Premier League.

Some have also questioned the logic in starting the competitive season so early but Jol took a philosophical view of it all.

"Yes [it is early] but on the other hand all the other teams will play their first friendly game soon," he said.

"You have to approach it as a serious game but if you play a friendly game you do that after six or seven days and that's exactly what we did [last night] so I don't think it has a big difference."

He added: "[Extra games] could be a problem but if you have 20 or more players I think you can cope with it."