The conclusion of EURO 2008 qualifying takes place tonight across Europe
21.11.2007
Freddie Ljungberg and George McCartney will find out tonight which one of
them will have a chance of playing at next summer's EURO 2008 finals.
Ljungberg will make it to Switzerland and Austria if Sweden, under his
captaincy, get a point at home to Latvia in Solna. Should the Scandinavian
nation lose, then McCartney's Northern Ireland can make it with victory away
to already-qualified Spain - although the left-back will be absent as he
continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
Elsewhere tonight, there will be no West Ham United representation as
England take on Croatia at Wembley needing a point to progress. However,
both Robert Green and Dean Ashton will be hoping for a positive result as
they look to play their way back into international contention over the
coming months. Defensive duo James Collins and Danny Gabbidon are with Wales
who, despite elimination already, will be looking to sign off in style in
Germany.
Further afield, John Pantsil's Ghana continue their preparations for hosting
January's African Cup of Nations with the final of a four-team tournament
against Benin. Henri Camara, who scored at the weekend in a 3-2 defeat of
Mali, is with Senegal for their friendly against Morocco. In South America,
Nolberto Solano will miss Peru's 2010 World Cup qualifier in Ecuador because
of suspension.
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High praise for 'dedicated' Green - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley has told Robert Green his chance with England will come
again
21.11.2007
Alan Curbishley has paid tribute to Robert Green and said he just has to
"keep doing what he does" to earn international recognition.
The West Ham United No1 has been among the top-flight's leading goalkeepers
this season but has yet to add to the one England cap he earned back in
2005. Paul Robinson, Scott Carson and David James are all ahead of him in
Steve McClaren's thoughts - meaning Green will not be involved this evening
when England take on Croatia at Wembley needing a draw to reach next
summer's EURO 2008 finals.
In an interview featured on WHUTV, Curbishley said the 27-year-old just had
to bide his time. "He is not far off that England squad," he said. "I think
everybody knows that. He has got to just keep doing what he does. He can't
do any more." At club level, Green has been instrumental in the run of five
matches unbeaten, memorably saving a last-gasp penalty to earn a 0-0 draw at
Portsmouth and producing heroics in the 3-1 home win against Sunderland
Despite regularly stealing the spotlight with his matchday contributions,
Curbishley said Green, who moved to east London from Norwich City in January
2006, was not one for personal glory. "He is a big character in terms of
size and stature," the manager said. "But he is quiet, he gets on with it
and I have never seen someone work as hard in training. He is totally
dedicated to becoming the best he can be."
Curbishley added that Green was a major factor in the survival fight last
season, acknowledging that, upon taking charge in December, he had first to
give him and his then rival Roy Carroll a chance to impress. "After about
four or five games I bought Rob back and he has been there ever since. His
performances not just in that run-in but since he came back into the side
and this season have been superb." Green will get the chance to underline
his credentials again this Sunday, when Tottenham Hotspur - featuring
Robinson in goal - come to the Boleyn Ground.
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Collison a winner with Wales - WHUFC
Jack Collison was again involved in a victory for Wales Under-21s on Tuesday
night
20.11.2007
Reserve-team captain Jack Collison was back in action for Wales Under-21s as
they achieved a dramatic 4-2 success against France in Cardiff.
Despite Les Bluets' perennial strength at this level - they have reached the
semi-finals four times in the last eight editions of the U21 European
Championship - they were undone by a thrilling fightback from Brian Flynn's
side. Wales went into the qualifier for the 2009 finals in Sweden on the
back of Saturday's 4-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Wrexham, when
Collison crowned his debut with a superb solo strike that saw him surge past
three midfielders, play a one-two and then round the visiting goalkeeper to
score.
With Collison again energetic in midfield on Tuesday, Wales took the lead
just before half-time through Manchester City's Ched Evans after a mistake
by captain Younes Kaboul, the Tottenham Hotspur centre-half. However, France
fought back and scored in the 73rd and 77th minutes through a penalty from
AC Milan prodigy Yoann Gourcuff and a fine second from Dimitri Payet.
Yet Wales refused to give in and Evans drew the home side level from the
penalty spot before taking the lead almost immediately afterwards when
substitute Mark Bradley struck from close range. Evans then completed his
hat-trick in added time with his second penalty of the night. The victory
leaves Wales two points behind qualifying Group 10 leaders Romania and
France, with one and two games in hand respectively.
Wales, who are bidding to reach the finals of this competition for the first
time although would still have to overcome the play-offs should they
progress from the group, are next in action on 6 February when they go to
last-placed Malta. Collison will hope to be involved again but there is
already talk of him attracting the attention of senior-team manager John
Toshack. The midfielder also had support from club-mate Craig Bellamy, the
Wales captain, who was watching from the stands on a chilly evening at
Ninian Park.
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Spence leads England to victory - WHUFC
Academy centre-back Jordan Spence captained the Young Lions to a friendly
win
20.11.2007
Jordan Spence played a captain's role as England Under-18s recorded a 2-0
home friendly victory against Ghana in Gillingham on Tuesday night.
The 17-year-old West Ham United centre-back was part of a strong rearguard
display that kept the African side at bay while goals towards the end of
each half from Daniel Welbeck and Daniel Drinkwater did the damage. The
Young Lions could also afford to miss a penalty two minutes after their
opener through Nana Ofori-Twumasi, the Ghana-born full-back who moved to
England when he was ten, but the result was never in doubt.
Nine of the England set-up were involved in the U17 World Cup finals in late
summer, when Spence led his country to the quarter-finals. Ghana reached the
last four of that competition in Japan, underlining the significance of
Tuesday's performance. Spence has actually already represented England at
U19 level as well, helping them last month to qualify for next year's elite
qualifying round for the 2008 European Championship.
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Ferdinand cleared of assault - SSN
Hammers star wins court case
Last updated: 20th November 2007
West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand has been cleared of assault and affray
following a court trial. Ferdinand had been charged with assault occasioning
actual bodily harm in relation to an incident outside a nightclub in Ilford
on 2nd October last year The 22-year-old admitted punching Emile Walker but
told Snaresbrook Crown Court it was in self-defence, as he feared he was
about to attack his friend Edward Dawkins. The jury unanimously cleared
Ferdinand of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, and alternative
common assault and public order offences. Dawkins, who was also in the dock,
was cleared of any wrongdoing.
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Bowyer boost for Hammers - SSN
Bowyer back in light training
Last updated: 20th November 2007
West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer has returned to training following his hernia
operation. Bowyer went under the knife to clear up the long-standing problem
earlier this month during the international break. The former Newcastle and
Leeds ace is unlikely to be fit in time to face Tottenham this weekend, but
he could back for the clash with Chelsea on 1st December. Hammers physio
George Cooper said: "It's a good sign that things went well. "He will build
up to speed throughout this week and begin full training next week."
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West Ham's Etherington: Reid, Boa Morte keeping pressure on
tribalfootball.com - November 20, 2007
West Ham United winger Matthew Etherington admits squad competition is
keeping him on his toes. He told WHUTV: "Obviously I know I need to play
well week in, week out and I like to think I have started the season quite
well. "It is good for me personally but if I don't do well then I know I am
going to get pushed out of the team. I have got Kyel Reid behind me and Luis
Boa Morte can play there as well. There is good competition for places and
that is what you want at a Premier League club. It just shows that we are
pushing on in the right direction."
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