John Pantsil's busy summer of World Cup qualifying action continued with another win for Ghana
08.06.2008
John Pantsil featured again for Ghana on Sunday as they made it two wins from two on the road to the 2010 World Cup.
The finals will be played in South Africa and that is where the Black Stars were in action as ran out 3-2 winners against Lesotho in Bloemfontein. The visitors were cruising after an early goal from Laryea Kingston was followed by two from striker Junior Agogo double. However, Sello Muso and Lesotho captain Lehlohonolo Seema ensured a tense finish with a quickfire double.
Pantsil also played the full 90 minutes last week as Ghana began their Group 5 qualifiers in the African zone with a 1-0 home win against Libya. The West Ham United right-back has two more matches before beginning his summer holidays - away and home against Gabon on 14 and 22 June respectively. This stage of qualifying will conclude in October.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Australia lost 1-0 away to Iraq in Dubai. The Socceroos were without Lucas Neill as they will be when they go to Qatar on Saturday for the next step in their Asian zone qualifiers for the World Cup. Both countries have seven points at the top of Group 1 after four games. Australia, with captain Neill back in contention, finish off the section at home to China in Sydney on 22 July. The top two teams in the group will progress to the next qualifying phase. Neill has remained in England after becoming a father of twins last week.
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Finals to test Tomka and Sears - WHUFC
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears will find out much more about themselves with England this summer
09.06.2008
England Under-19 coach Brian Eastick has been speaking about the physical challenge facing James Tomkins and Freddie Sears before July's European U19 Championship.
The West Ham United duo are key men for the Young Lions who are one of eight nations hoping to be crowned continental champions when the finals are played between 14 and 26 July in the Czech Republic. Although England know they will play the hosts, Italy and Greece in their group matches - with two teams from that section progressing to the semi-finals - it is not known when and where they will be playing. What is certain though is that the youngsters will have their fitness tested.
"Most of the players will only have been back in pre-season training with their clubs for a few days by then," Eastick told theFA.com. "So the players need to be professional and conscientious of that and make sure that they are in a good condition for the tournament. "If we aren't in the right physical condition, then it will be even harder work for us in the competition."
The 19-year-old Tomkins and 18-year-old Sears are enjoying a well-earned break from the action after helping England to qualify at the end of last month. While the finals will require much of them, there is no doubt that both youngsters - and possibly Jordan Spence and Junior Stanislas - will gain wider knowledge if selected in the final 18-man squad. It will be a terrific challenge for the lads and a great experience," added Eastick. "I'm sure Fabio and all of the previous national coaches will agree that our players need more 'tournament experience'".
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Ljungberg in Roma rumour - SSN
Hammers reportedly offer midfielder to Serie A side
By Nadia Carminati Last updated: 8th June 2008
West Ham United have offered Freddie Ljungberg to Serie A side Roma, according to reports emanating from Italy. Ljungberg's agent has previously rejected reports suggesting The Hammers were planning to pay-off the player to let him to leave the club. However, fresh rumours claim West Ham are keen to sell the Sweden international just a year after he signed at Upton Park from Arsenal. But it is suggested that Roma are reluctant to match West Ham's reported asking fee of €3million (£2.4million). Ljungberg made 25 league appearances for West Ham last season - scoring two goals.
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Tenorio hopes for England - SSN
Ecuadorian remains hopeful
By Patricio Figueroa Last updated: 7th June 2008
Ecuador striker Carlos Tenorio is finally hoping he will get a move to England this summer. The 29-year-old has long been keen to seal a move to the Premier League and on more than one occasion he has been very close. Now Tenorio, based in Qatar with Al Saad - the same club Mauro Zarate came from, is again hoping that he will finally get his wish of a move to England. "I know that there is interest from several English teams in me because they have heard that I have scored more than 100 goals in Qatar," he told Ecuagoal. "But I have to wait for what the officials of my team decide because they have told me that the want to renew my contract. "I am waiting for a team to make an offer to Al Saad and if it's important for them and for me I would like to have the chance to live a new experience."
Reports in Ecuador suggest West Ham, Wigan, Manchester City, Sunderland, Birmingham, Bolton and Blackburn Rovers could all be interested.
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Panel hears Sheffield United Carlos Tévez dispute case - The Times
(Mark Robinson)
Sheffield United's case against West Ham United will begin its hearings today in what is thought to be the first damages claim of its kind at the highest level of the sport in England.
The Yorkshire club believe that they were relegated from the top flight at the end of the 2006-07 season as a result of West Ham's admitted breach of Premier League rules in the transfer of Carlos Tévez from Corinthians, the Brazilian club, two years ago. The Argentina forward helped to rescue West Ham from the drop as they ended the campaign three points above Sheffield United. Tévez subsequently moved to Manchester United.
Sheffield United are seeking compensation after estimating that relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship cost them £30 million. West Ham are convinced that the claim has no merit.
The dispute will be considered by a three-man panel, made up of Lord Griffiths, a former president of MCC, Sir Anthony Colman, a former High Court judge, and Robert Englehart, QC. The hearing in London is expected to last several days and the panel is likely to take a couple of weeks before announcing a judgment. It has the authority to award any penalty, including compensation.
The case will have significant ramifications and could open the floodgates for similar legal proceedings between clubs, if United win their claim.
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09/06/2008 09:22
Gudjohnsen Fancies West Ham Move - Goal.com
According to the latest reports from his native Iceland, Eidur Gudjohnsen is leaning towards a summer switch to West Ham United. The Hammers failed in their attempt to sign the 29-year-old last summer, but manager Alan Curbishley is now more determined than ever to snag the unsettled Barcelona man.
The ex Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea star is said to be keen on a return to the Premiership, with West Ham rumoured to be his preferred choice due largely to the fact that Hammers supremo Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is a confidante and compatriot. The news will not be well received by Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan, who by all accounts would love to have Gudjohnsen at his disposal next season. Keegan is keen to bolster his forward line over the off-season, as Toon will be without injured targetman Mark Viduka for the start of the campaign, while Obafemi Martins has been linked with a move away from St. James' Park.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
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Spurs line up £6m Ferdinand - lep.co.uk
West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand is set for a £6m move to Tottenham. The West Ham defender has been on Tottenham's hit-list for a couple of seasons and Juande Ramos will try and tie up a deal over the next couple of weeks after seeing Manchester City's Richard Dunne slip through the net.
Ferdinand, 23, has been at Upton Park for six years and the Hammers turned down a £4m offer from Spurs a couple of seasons ago. But boss Alan Curbishley needs to cut the extravagant wage bill and he has plenty of options in the central defensive area. The News of the World claims Dunne is now set to join Portsmouth.
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Hammers join the race for Ecuador frontman - Guardian Series
WEST Ham are amongst a host of Premier League clubs thought to be weighing up a bid for Ecuador striker Carlos Tenorio. The 29-year-old was linked with a move to Italian side Siena and France outfit Lille in 2006 but his current club - Al Saad in Qatar - turned down all offers for the pacy frontman.
However, after scoring over 100 goals for the Asian outfit, Tenorio has admitted that he is now looking for a fresh challenge - with England the preferred destination. "I know that there is interest from several English teams in me because they have heard that I have scored more than 100 goals in Qatar," Tenorio told Ecuagoal. "But I have to wait for what the officials of my team decide because they have told me that the want to renew my contract. "I am waiting for a team to make an offer to Al Saad and if it's important for them and for me I would like to have the chance to live a new experience."
According to reports in Ecuador, Wigan, Manchester City, Sunderland, Birmingham, Bolton, Blackburn and the Hammers are all thought to be monitoring the situation.
4:30pm Sunday 8th June 2008
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Reports claim Hammers are ready to offload Ljungberg - Guardian Series
REPORTS in Italy claim that West Ham have offered winger Freddie Ljungberg to Serie A giants Roma. The Irons picked up the Sweden international for £3million from Arsenal last summer but his first season with the east Londoners was dogged by injury - he made just 25 appearances and scored two goals. Now the Hammers are keen to get the 31-year-old - who is thought to be amongst the top earners at Upton Park on £75,000 a week - off the books and would listen to bids of around £2.4million. However, the reports suggest that Roma are unwilling to meet the asking price and would consider taking Ljungberg for around half of that figure.
4:44pm Sunday 8th June 2008
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Villa, West Ham to pounce as Fulham invite Bullard offers
tribalfootball.com - June 08, 2008
Fulham are ready to cash in on midfielder Jimmy Bullard. The People says Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is willing to sell midfielder Bullard - in a move that would shock the club's fans. Aston Villa and West Ham have made enquiries about the playmaker, who played a key role in helping Fulham's miraculous escape from relegation. Although the Londoners have yet to receive any firm bids, it is believed they will consider offers of around £3million for the 29-year-old darling of Craven Cottage.
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Bolton move for Newcastle's Carr
tribalfooball.com - June 08, 2008
Bolton Wanderers have joined West Ham in the race to sign defender Stephen Carr. The 31-year-old rightback is a free agent after allowing his contract at Newcastle to run out.
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Roma invited to bid for West Ham's Ljungberg
tribalfootball.com - June 08, 2008
West Ham United have offered Freddie Ljungberg to Serie A side Roma, according to reports emanating from Italy. Ljungberg's agent has previously rejected reports suggesting The Hammers were planning to pay-off the player to let him to leave the club. However, fresh rumours claim West Ham are keen to sell the Sweden international just a year after he signed at Upton Park from Arsenal. But it is suggested that Roma are reluctant to match West Ham's reported asking fee of £2.4million. Ljungberg made 25 league appearances for West Ham last season - scoring two goals.
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West Ham, Man City target Tenorio wants Premiership move
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2008
Ecuador international Carlos Tenorio has told his growing ranks of English admirers that he is ready for a move to The Premier League. It has been reported that West Ham, Wigan Athletic, Manchester City, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers are all interested in the 29-year-old striker. Tenorio now claims he is ready to test himself in The Premier League, where international team-mates Antonio Valencia and Felipe Caicedo currently play for Wigan and Manchester City respectively. "I know that there is interest from several English teams in me because they have heard that I have scored more than 100 goals in Qatar," Tenorio told Ecuagol. "But I have to wait for what the officials of my team decide because they have told me that they want to renew my contract. "I am waiting for a team to make an offer to Al Sadd and if it's important for them and for me I would like to have the chance to live a new experience."
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Hughes eyes Sidwell as first signing - TeamTalk
New Manchester City boss Mark Hughes plans to hijack Aston Villa's bid to sign Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell and make him his first capture. Hughes is keen to put his own stamp on the Eastlands squad having taken over the reins from Sven-Goran Eriksson. And while owner Thaksin Shinawatra works on an ambitious bid to sign Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho from Barcelona, the Daily Mirror says Hughes has targeted Sidwell as the perfect partner for Stephen Ireland. The former Rovers boss is not alone in his admiration of the £6million-rated battler, though, and Martin O'Neill plans to make Chelsea an offer if he loses skipper Gareth Barry to Liverpool. The Villa boss is also reportedly monitoring Tom Huddlestone's situation at Spurs, but the race for 25-year-old Sidwell is much fiercer, with Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle, West Ham, Fulham, Everton and Blackburn all looking to recruit him this summer.
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