WHUFC.com
A competitive contest in difficult conditions will prove invaluable in the
long run, says Carlton Cole
30.07.2009
Carlton Cole has been back in training as the squad look to Friday's fixture
against Beijing Guoan as the chance to end the Barclays Asia Trophy on a
positive note. The England striker said the team were very disappointed at
losing out 1-0 to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in their opening game but
that there were positives to be taken. He said the pre-season campaign was
about being ready to go once it all gets under way again on Saturday 15
August. Cole said: "It was difficult out there for both teams in the
conditions, it was very humid, the air was really dry," he said. "But I am
sure that all of this, playing in these conditions and the work we have been
doing both here and in Austria last week will help us for the new season
ahead. We will be fitter and better for the experience."
On Thursday morning, Cole was given a lighter session as he warmed down with
those that had played a full part in the Spurs fixture, while the rest of
the squad had a more intense programme and finished off with a lively match.
Absent from proceedings was Luis Boa Morte, who was back at the team hotel
after his knee injury against Tottenham. Cole said he and his team-mates
were all concerned over their colleague during the contest but had to
quickly adjust their thoughts to the match at hand. Despite that early
setback, the team did their best to get back on terms with Tottenham but
Cole had to be content with a number of half-chances. "It was frustrating
not have got more of a chance to score, but you have to keep going," Cole
added. "As I have said, I and the rest of the team are looking to the new
season, knowing that all this hard work we have been doing this pre-season
will start to pay off for us if we continue what we have been doing."
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Zola looking for more
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola wished Luis Boa Morte well after he suffered a knee injury
in Beijing
29.07.2009
Gianfranco Zola's frustration at losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the
semi-finals of the Barclays Asia Trophy was tempered by the knowledge it
will be a valuable lesson for the new season.
Jermain Defoe struck the only goal of the game 15 minutes from time and,
despite a whole-hearted effort from the Hammers, they could not find a way
past Spurs goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini in Beijing.
To make matters worse, Luis Boa Morte suffered cruciate knee ligament damage
after he landed awkwardly in the 14th minute before carried off and taken to
hospital with his leg in a brace. Although clearly concerned for their
team-mate's well-being, Zola was keen not to use the injury as an excuse for
his players' inability to overcome their rivals.
"I am really sorry for him [Boa Morte]." Zola said. "I think certainly the
injury was one of the problems but physically we need to catch up a little
bit." As well as the need to sharpen up, the manager made no secret of the
fact the club are looking to bring in new recruits, particularly up front -
although Switzerland Under-19 left-back Fabio Daprela could also arrive this
week.
CEO Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani chose not to travel
to Beijing, as they instead concentrated their efforts on securing the
manager's transfer targets. Having travelled across Europe since last
weekend, they remain in close contact with Zola and his coaching staff.
There are three weeks to go until the start of the new season and the aim is
to add more forward thinking to those currently available for selection -
namely Carlton Cole, Zavon Hines and Frank Nouble. The likes of Junior
Stanislas - wearing No9 as part of the Premier League rules on China squad
numbers going from 1-24 - and Savio will also add to the attacking options.
Zola, who has Dean Ashton and Terry Dixon working on their fitness back in
London, said: "We talked about the forward positions already last season. We
need to improve that part. We are working on that. Obviously when you are at
the beginning of the pre-season and you lack a little bit of condition you
notice it the most in attack.
"It is easy to have problems going forward because you need to be sharp and
quick," he added, mindful of the fact Spurs arrived in China with the
benefit of two testing fixtures with Barcelona and Celtic and his own side's
warm-up date with Werder Bremen having been forced off.
"Right now we are not sharp and quick but it is something that we knew about
and it is not going to be a problem. We are going to sort it out."
In front of 100 or so loyal travelling supporters, the Hammers put in a
tireless shift in hot and humid conditions at the Workers Stadium, but were
unable to turn some neat passing into clear-cut chances. Zola will now have
a day to prepare his players before they look to secure third place in the
tournament when they play Beijing Guoan on Friday evening. Kick off is at
11am UK time.
"We were not as good as we could be but it is the first real match we
played," he added. "We have worked hard so it is understandable. The
conditions are there for us and for the opposition as well so I don't think
it is that. We have worked very hard and this was the first real match for
us.
"I am going to use it as a good game to see the problems and to work on
them. I take it in a positive way."
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Injury blow for Boa
WHUFC.com
Luis Boa Morte faces a lay-off after suffering anterior cruciate ligament
damage to his right knee
29.07.2009
West Ham United can confirm that Luis Boa Morte could be out until 2010
after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee. The
Portugal international was hurt after catching his studs in the turf at the
Beijing Workers Stadium 14 minutes into the Hammers' 1-0 defeat by Tottenham
Hotspur in Wednesday's Barclays Asia Trophy semi-final. Boa Morte will
undergo further tests to determine the full extent of the injury when the
swelling on his injured knee goes down. Boa Morte was fitted with a knee
brace before being carried from the pitch on a stretcher. The 31-year-old
was taken to a city centre hospital by ambulance for treatment, accompanied
by physiotherapist Tom Smith. Having been assessed, the midfielder returned
to the team hotel on crutches, where he was welcomed by manager Gianfranco
Zola and his team-mates.
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Collins looks ahead
WHUFC.com
A typically committed display by James Collins was not enough to keep Spurs
at bay in Beijing
29.07.2009
James Collins was making no excuses after West Ham United came up short
against Tottenham Hotspur in the opening match of the Barclays Asia Trophy.
Although the Wales defender was perhaps one of the most impressive
performers on view for Gianfranco Zola's side, he was unable to help the
team avoid a 1-0 defeat in difficult conditions - not that he was
complaining about the weather in China. "It is not nice playing in heat like
that but we can't use it as an excuse. "We knew it was going to be tough and
to be honest I don't think any of the boys are too happy with their
performance but that is what pre-season is for and we will be looking to
work on that."
Collins forged a decent partnership with captain Matthew Upson, and was
singled out for praise by the local media gathered at the Beijing Workers
Stadium. For his part, he echoed his manager's determination in only
thinking of making amends when the teams meet again in the more typical
surrounds of the Boleyn Ground on Sunday 23 August. "It is never nice losing
to Spurs," he said. "You don't want to lose any game, especially against a
local rival. It was a tough game and, like the manager said, we can use it
as things to look on that we need to improve. I am sure we will be doing
that in the next couple of weeks before we meet them again in the second
game of the season."
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Hammers beaten in Beijing
WHUFC.com
A single goal was all that separated West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur
in the Barclays Asia Trophy
29.07.2009
West Ham United went down to a single Jermain Defoe goal in the opening
match of the Barclays Asia Trophy at the Workers Stadium in Beijing on
Wednesday. Defoe struck in the 75th minute on a hot and humid night to
secure his side a place in the final of the pre-season tournament. The
Hammers had several half-chances of their own but could not offer a serious
threat to their London rivals' goal. Gianfranco Zola sent his men out in a
4-3-3 formation that that included new signing Luis Jimenez in central
midfield role. Carlton Cole was tasked with leading the line up front with
support from Junior Stanislas and Luis Boa Morte on the flanks. Spurs were
showing off a new signing of their own with Kyle Naughton starting on the
right of midfield. In a London derby played 5,000 miles from home, it was
the team from the north of the capital that came out of the blocks stronger.
Within the first minute a cross from Naughton had to be palmed over the
crossbar by Robert Green and then, moments later, captain Luka Modric
dragged a shot wide of the post from 25 yards. West Ham fought back, though,
and had their first chance six minutes later when Jimenez floated in a
free-kick that saw James Collins rose to flick a header goalwards. His
effort would surely have caused Carlo Cudicini in the Spurs goal some
problems had it fallen either side of him rather than straight at him. The
Hammers suffered a blow six minutes later when Luis Boa Morte had to be
stretchered off after catching his knee on the turf. The Portuguese was
taken to hospital for his injury to be assessed. Mark Noble came on to
replace him. Tottenham came within a lick of paint away from taking the lead
when Jamie O'Hara picked up a loose pass by Noble before feeding Roman
Pavlyuchenko. The Russian struck a curling right-footed shot first time only
to see it hit the inside of the post. Only a last-ditch tackle from Collins
prevented the Russian from drilling home the rebound.
O'Hara was next to threaten Green's goal when he curled a shot inches wide
and Pavlyuchenko followed suit when he blasted a good opening from the edge
of the box high and wide. After surviving a host of early attacks, West Ham
gradually grew in confidence with Cole using his strength and power to
valiantly lead the line. Indeed, it was the England striker who won the
free-kick that led to his side's final chance of the half. Jimenez whipped
it in from 40 yards out and, once more, Collins met the ball, but could only
direct his header wide. Zola sought to add some extra bite to his midfield
at the interval with the introduction of Hammer of the Year Scott Parker,
who came on in place of Dyer. Harry Redknapp made Tottenham's first change
by bringing on Robbie Keane for Pavlyuchenko. Spurs had another good opening
six minutes later when a clever flicked through ball by Keane presented
Defoe with a clear sight of goal, but the former Hammer could only place his
volley high over the crossbar. Just before the hour mark, Noble and O'Hara
were both then booked after tangling off the ball. West Ham United, in their
new home kit which goes on sale at club stores tomorrow, then had their best
chance of the game when a clever one-two involving Jimenez and Cole saw the
Chilean find some space in the area. With the angle tight, the loan signing
from Inter Milan, did well to get a shot in that deflected off Tom
Huddlestone and over the bar.
Zola introduced Savio in place of Stanislas as he sought to win the game
outright and avoid the lottery of a penalty shoot-out and his Tottenham
counterpart followed suit with Aaron Lennon coming on for Naughton. With 18
minutes left Green was called into serious action for the first time as
Modric raced into the area and forced the England stopper to save with his
legs. At the other end, a superb run by Collison ended with the Welshman
shooting straight at Cudicini. Tottenham took the lead 15 minutes from the
end when Defoe broke the offside trap to race onto a through ball. Faubert
did his best to get near to close him down, but Defoe striker finished low
past Green. Jonathan Spector and Zavon Hines were introduced in place of
Jimenez and Collison with ten minutes to go as West Ham desperately tried to
get back on level terms. They had a half-chance when Faubert, who had been
moved into midfield, crossed for Cole, but the 25-year-old could only find
the stand behind Cudicini's goal.
Spurs' final change saw Jake Livermore come on for Palacious as West Ham
gave it their all but ultimately could not find a way past the stubborn
Spurs back line. Zola's side will now play Beijing Guoan on Friday morning
in the third/fourth place play-off, after they lost on penalties to Hull
City in the other semi-final. Kick-off will be at 11am UK time.
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Blackburn to aid club cause
WHUFC.com
Lifelong fan Nick Blackburn is the latest to become a club ambassador,
starting with the China trip
26.07.2009
West Ham United are delighted to announce that Nick Blackburn has been
appointed as a club ambassador. The lifelong fan and chairman of See Tickets
is an influential figure in the business world and entertainment industry
and will build positive relations with key figures inside and outside of
football. Having travelled to the Barclays Asia Trophy in Beijing, he will
particularly have a matchday role welcoming high-profile guests and
promoting the work the club is doing at all levels.
His love of West Ham began in the early 1960s when he first watched the
likes of Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst play under Ron
Greenwood's guidance - and he has since seen the team play on more than
1,500 occasions. He was naturally delighted to get involved on a more formal
basis. "I am very proud to be asked to do this role and anything I can do to
help West Ham is something that is simply a great honour.
"I am very happy to be in a position where I can help West Ham in any way
whatsoever," he added. "I am pleased they want to draw on my knowledge and
experience as well as my love for the club." As well as his array of
corporate contacts, Blackburn has plenty of knowledge within the game having
previously been chairman at Queen's Park Rangers, worked on the Football
League board and served as a FA councillor.
"I know a lot of people in football and can use those links positively for
the club as well as the contacts I have made from the ticketing business. At
See Tickets, we deal with all types of events from sports to theatre to
music. I actually first became involved in the music industry as a manager
of rock bands in 1969."
It is football though that has dominated his life. Pride of place on his
office wall is a newspaper cutting of his favourite victory - a 7-0 defeat
of Don Revie's Leeds United in November 1966. "It was one of the best team
performances I've ever seen. We beat them when they were at their peak with
Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter, Billy Bremner and the rest of them. We were in
the middle of a great run and I can remember standing underneath the main
stand and watching us play some fantastic football.
"My favourite players over the years were obviously the World Cup trio,
Johnny Byrne, Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Paolo Di Canio...I always
had a soft spot for David Cross and how can you ignore Billy Bonds or Alvin
Martin? I think we have been spoilt over the years, you can go on and on."
While many fans rightly revere the 1985/86 team captained by Martin,
Blackburn goes back a little bit further for his favourite side. "The
1980/81 team was the one I knew best," he explained. "They were a great
bunch of people. I think the second division team that had won the cup, got
to the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup and won the second division
title easily was a great team."
He sees plenty of potential too in the West Ham United squad that is gearing
up for the 2009/10 campaign. "Gianfranco Zola has been fantastic. Not just
for the team, but for the club as a whole. I love the way he gets on with
the job and doesn't moan either. It is exciting times. The club is well run
at the moment, it is getting back on a better financial keel and what we
achieved last year to finish ninth was tremendous.
"To be honest, it is difficult for any club to push on now with the top four
or five the way they are but we can compete and who knows what can happen?"
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "I am delighted Nick has accepted
this role which will be invaluable for our plans to build on the positive
relations we have throughout the game and in the wider business world. He is
West Ham through and through and will be able to open many doors for the
club in the coming years."
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West Ham United 0-1 Spurs
WHUFC.com
29.07.2009
Barclays Asia Trophy
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
Workers Stadium, Beijing
Wednesday 29 July
6pm
Referee: Andre Marriner
Full time - West Ham United 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
93 min - It is all over at the Workers Stadium as Andre Marriner blows the
final whistle. West Ham will have to wait and see if they will face Hull or
Guoan in Friday's third/fourth-placed play-off.
92 min - Savio wins a free-kick. One last chance for West Ham to score, but
they lose the ball and Spurs are able to break clear.
91 min - Hines forces a throw-in wide on the left, but it comes to nothing.
90 min - We're into the final minute of the 90. Livermore beats two men but
his shot is wide of the target from the edge of the penalty area. We will
have two added minutes.
89 min - There is a massive cheer from the home fans as the Guoan fans come
out to warm-up on the running track surrounding the pitch. Meanwhile, Defoe
turns Upson and shoots low, but Green dives low to his right to save.
87 min - Spurs come close again. Defoe's shot is blocked and the ball loops
to Lennon. The England winger's cross-shot is inches ahead of Keane and
rolls out for a goal-kick. Hines is now partnering Cole up front.
85 min - Only five minutes to go here at the Workers Stadium and West Ham
are still trailing. Can they find an equaliser and force penalties?
82 min - A half-chance for Cole. Faubert's low cross is hit first-time by
the lunging striker, but he can only divert the ball over the crossbar.
Spurs bring on Jake Livermore for Palacios.
81 min - Two changes for West Ham. Jonathan Spector and Zavon Hines are on
for Collison and Jimenez.
79 min - Hull City will take on Beijing Guoan in the second match here at
8.30pm local time. The stadium is filling up with Guoan fans now.
78 min - West Ham need some inspiration from somewhere here.
75 min - GOAL! Spurs take the lead through Defoe. The England striker holds
off Faubert and shoots low. The ball sneaks through Green's grasp and sneaks
over the line.
74 min - A chance for West Ham! Collison skips past two challenges before
shooting low, but the effort is straight at Cudicini.
72 min - Keane races through and latches on to a superb through pass from
Modric. The striker may have been slightly impeded, but still manages to get
a low shot away, which is blocked well by Green.
70 min - We're 20 minutes from penalties! Spurs make a change, bring on
Aaron Lennon for Kyle Naughton.
68 min - A clever Keane backheel finds Modric in space, but his shot hits
Collins and is cleared.
67 min - Defoe gets free inside the penalty area but he dwells too long on
the ball and his initial cross for Keane is blocked. The ball falls back to
Defoe but he is unable to make anything of the chance.
66 min - Savio is on for Stanislas.
64 min - Savio celebrated his 20th birthday on Tuesday. Can he mark the big
event with a goal? Cole chests the ball down inside the penalty area, but
Spurs are able to clear.
63 min - Zola could be tempted to make some more substitutions here, with
Savio warming up and looking like he is ready to come on. It could be
Stanislas who makes way for the Germany U20 man.
61 min - We've got less than half-an-hour to go here and the game is still
goalless. Should it end that way, we'll have a penalty shoot-out. The last
time West Ham contested a shoot-out was the 2006 FA Cup final...
59 min - Hutton breaks forward down the right and wins a corner off Ilunga's
shin. O'Hara takes the flag-kick but it is too short and Cole heads it
clear.
58 min - Defoe should have scored there, or at least hit the target. He
turned Collins with ease but his left-foot shot flew high and not very
handsome.
57 min - West Ham spring into life and it is Jimenez who is the man,
bursting through and playing a neat one-two with Cole before his shot is
blocked by Huddlestone and flies out for a corner. Jimenez takes and
Cudicini punches it clear.
55 min - A bit of an altercation between O'Hara and Noble inside the centre
circle. The England Under-21 colleagues came together after O'Hara clipped
Noble's heels after the ball had gone. Noble is booked for his reaction,
while O'Hara also sees yellow for the initial challenge.
54 min - A neat passage of play ends with Jack Collison clipping the ball
into the area, but it is headed clear.
51 min - Spurs are on top again here. Keane clips the ball over the West Ham
back-four but Defoe lashes his shot over the crossbar.
50 min - The ball drops inside the penalty area dangerously, but Cole hacks
it clear.
49 min - Stanislas fouls Hutton wide on the right. O'Hara trundles over to
curl the ball in left-footed.
48 min - Palacios shoots from 40 yards, or was that an over-hit through
ball? West Ham break but Cole is caught offside.
46 min - And we're off and running again... Defoe has an early chance. Keane
finds his striker partner, who turns Ilunga but sees his shot blocked by the
Irishman.
It looks like West Ham are going to make at least one change for the start
of the second half. Spurs also make a change. Robbie Keane is on for
Pavlyuchenko, while Scott Parker replaces Dyer.
Just to update you all on the Luis Boa Morte situation. He has gone to
hospital accompanied by a member of the club's medical staff. At the present
time, any diagnosis would be speculative. As such, we will wait until we
have confirmation of the extent of Boa's injury before issuing any further
updates.
Half-time - West Ham United 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
46 min - Andre Marriner blows the half-time whistle. It has definitely been
Tottenham's half here in China. Still, the game is goalless and surely the
Hammers will improve after the break.
45 min - Huddlestone breaks out of defence and runs towards the Spurs goal
before feeding Defoe in the inside-left channel, but his shot is blocked by
Upson. Seconds later, Defoe gets another chance but slices his shot well
wide. There will be one added minute.
44 min - We are making enquiries about Luis Boa Morte and will pass on the
information to you as soon as we have it.
43 min - I've lost count of how many times Spurs have unleased shots
off-target tonight. Modric is the latest offender, curling his effort
harmlessly wide.
41 min - Cole is fouled 30 yards out. Jimenez launches the free-kick towards
the back post where Collins rises highest, but he is unable to direct his
header on target.
38 min - Both teams are giving the ball away too easily. West Ham break into
the Spurs box but a last-ditch tackle denies Cole a shooting chance. West
Ham have a corner, though. Jimenez will take it, but it lands in the hands
of Cudicini.
35 min - Luis Boa Morte has gone to hospital for treatment for his knee
injury. Back at the stadium, Modric sees his shot blocked.
33 min - Green could have done with a shout there. Hutton's cross is going
nowhere, but the goalkeeper obviously did not receive a shout and palmed the
ball away to Faubert.
31 min - Spurs come close again. Another loose clearance on the edge of the
box gifts the ball to Pavlyuchenko, but the former Spartak Moscow striker
can only launch his shot over the crossbar. West Ham need to take more care
of the ball in their own half.
30 min - West Ham are enjoying a greater proporition of possession now, but
an attack is ended and the ball is worked to O'Hara. He cuts inside Faubert
and curls a shot inches wide with his less-favoured right foot.
28 min - Noble tries to pick out Stanislas with a raking pass, but it is
just too strong and skips through to Cudicini.
27 min - O'Hara is back on for Spurs.
25 min - Tottenham come close again. Naughton clips the ball into the danger
zone, but Pavlyuchenko cannot divert the ball goalwards.
23 min - Cole shoots from long-range but the ball rolls harmlessly through
to Cudicini.
22 min - It looks like O'Hara could be injured now. He tries to keep the
ball in and appears to get his studs caught in the turf. He doesn't look
very happy, to be honest.
21 min - West Ham are starting to get things together. A neat build-up ends
with Julien Faubert curling his cross just behind Cole and Stanislas.
20 min - Cole beats his marker with a super turn and races away down the
right touchline, but his cross is too deep for Stanislas and drifts out for
a throw-in.
18 min - West Ham need to up their game here. Spurs are bossing things and
are controlling the match.
17 min - Spurs win another free-kick 30 yards from goal and Tom Huddlestone
drives a low strike under the wall that flies just wide of the post with
Green beaten.
16 min - Ooooh! So close from Spurs. Noble gives the ball away carelessly
and O'Hara breaks. Tottenham have a three-on-two and O'Hara feeds
Pavlyuchenko, who curls his shot against the inside of the far post. The
ball falls back to the Russian, but Collins gets in a great block.
14 min - Mark Noble is on as a substitute for Boa Morte.
13 min - West Ham are down to ten men and Spurs look to take advantage.
Young Naughton drives the ball low across the face of goal and it flashes
past the far post.
11 min - Boa Morte is down again and it looks like he may have hurt his knee
challenging Benoit Assou-Ekotto. It doesn't look great for the Portugal
winger as he is tended to by the club's medical staff. Boa is fitted with a
knee brace and is lowered on to a stretcher and looks in some pain.
9 min - The atmosphere here is not bad considering how many empty seats
there are in the Workers Stadium. Both teams are trying to pass the ball on
the lush green grass, but neither has created a clear-cut chance until Defoe
works Green with a shot that the goalkeeper gathers at the second attempt.
7 min - Boa Morte is felled by Wilson Palacios and gets up with a grimace on
his face. Jimenez curls in the free-kick, Collins flicks on but the balls
flies straight into the arms of the grateful Carlo Cudicini.
6 min - A sloppy clearance by Upson falls straight to Pavlyuchenko. The
Russian controls the ball on his chest but his snap shot is dreadful and
loops harmlessly wide of the target.
5 min - Defoe works a bit of space but his low shot is blocked by Upson on
the edge of the penalty area.
4 min - Spurs have started well here. Another slick passing move sees
Pavlyuchenko win a corner off James Collins. Green clears the ball quickly
to Junior Stanislas, but the winger is tackled as he dribbles into the box.
3 min - Defoe tries to latch on to Modric's through ball, but he is rightly
flagged offside.
1 min - Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko get us underway... Kyle
Naughton tests Robert Green straight away with a cross-shot that the
goalkeeper tips out for a corner. Jamie O'Hara takes it and the ball is
half-cleared. It falls to the feet of Modric, but his shot flies wide of the
far post.
6pm - The two sides are out on the pitch here. West Ham are wearing their
new home kit, while Spurs also have their new home shirts on, but without a
sponsor. Tonight's referee will be Andre Marriner.
5.54pm - Just a few minutes to go until kick-off. While Gianfranco Zola's
players are playing in a totally alien environment in China, the manager was
here a year ago for the Olympic Games. Alongside former Chelsea team-mate
Pierluigi Casiraghi, Zola helped Italy to top Group D before they were
beaten 3-2 by Belgium at the Workers Stadium in the quarter-finals. Let's
hope Mister enjoys better fortune this time around.
5.48pm - A bit of trivia about today's venue. The Workers Stadium was
originally built in 1959 as one of Ten Great Buildings constructed to mark
the tenth anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic of China.
It was renovated in 2004 ahead of last summer's Olympic Games. It has held a
number of important football matches and is the home of fellow Barclays Asia
Trophy competitors Beijing Guoan.
5.45pm - A group of noisy West Ham supporters are making themselves heard in
the cavernous Workers Stadium, which is some way short of its capacity of
70,161. The fans announced their arrival with a chorus of the 'Ludek
Miklosko' song. Meanwhile, down by the pitch, Gianfranco Zola has completed
a pre-match interview with Sky Sports.
5.40pm - West Ham will be wearing the club's new home kit for the first time
in Beijing this evening. Can they mark the big occasion with a win over a
side managed by former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp? The new kit was
launched by Hollywood star and West Ham fanatic Ray Winstone and a host of
ordinary supporters earlier this month and will be available to buy in the
club's two stores on Thursday morning. To pre-order yours, click here
5.35pm - West Ham will be anxious to end a run of six matches without a win
against Spurs. The last time the Hammers beat their cross-London rivals was
on the final day of the 2005/06 season, when goals from Carl Fletcher and
Yossi Benayoun were on target at the Boleyn Ground. Spurs' scorer that day
was Jermain Defoe, and the former Hammer is in Tottenham's starting lineup
again today. Croatia playmaker Luka Modric will be captaining Spurs today,
by the way.
5.30pm - The atmosphere is building inside the Workers Stadium. For those
wondering why West Ham have two goalkeepers among their substitutes, it is
because the competition rules allow for the whole squad to be named on the
bench. Gianfranco Zola can use as many as six substitutes, one of whom must
be a goalkeeper.
West Ham United have named a strong team to face Tottenham Hotspur in the
opening match of the Barclays Asia Trophy at the Workers Stadium in Beijing.
Robert Green, Julien Faubert, captain Matthew Upson, James Collins and
Herita Ilunga will make up the back-five, with Luis Boa Morte, Kieron Dyer
and Jack Collison forming a three-man midfield. Up front, new signing Luis
Jimenez and Junior Stanislas will support lone striker Carlton Cole.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Upson, Collins, Ilunga, Boa Morte (Noble
14), Dyer (Parker 46), Collison (Spector 81), Jimenez (Hines 81), Stanislas
(Savio 66), Cole
Subs: Stech, Kurucz, Spence, N'Gala, Tomkins, Gabbidon, Payne
Tottenham Hotspur: Cudicini, Hutton, Huddlestone, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto,
Naughton (Lennon 70), Palacios (Livermore 82), Modric, O'Hara, Pavlyuchenko
(Keane 46), Defoe
Subs: Gomes, Chimbonda, Dervite, Jenas, Bostock, Rose
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Boa Morte faces six-month lay-off
BBC.co.uk
West Ham winger Luis Boa Morte could be out until 2010 after suffering
anterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee at the Asia Trophy in
China. The 31-year-old was injured during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by
Tottenham. Boa Morte hurt his right knee after catching his studs in the
turf at the Beijing Workers Stadium following a tackle with Spurs' Benoit
Assou-Ekotto. West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola said: "It is a big blow. He's an
important player for us both on and off the pitch." Boa Morte was taken to
hospital with his knee in a brace and further tests will determine whether
he needs surgery. The injury happened only 10 minutes into a goalless first
half in a game that was settled by Jermain Defoe's solitary strike.
Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko came closest to breaking the deadlock
in the opening 45 minutes but his curling effort came back off the post.
Spurs dominated for long periods and deservedly took the lead after 75
minutes when Defoe's shot squeezed past West Ham keeper Rob Green and
trickled over the line. Spurs will play Hull, who beat Beijing Guoan 5-4 on
penalties, in Friday's final. Geovanni opened the scoring for the Tigers,
but his ninth-minute effort was cancelled out by Beijing's Mobido William
just after the break. The game ended 1-1 and Hull kept their composure to
win the penalty shootout.
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Bad news for Boa
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th July 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have confirmed that Luis Boa Morte is facing a lengthy lay off
after he was carried off in this morning's 1-0 Asia Trophy defeat against
Tottenham. The Portuguese winger - who is almost certainly in his final year
at the club - was stretchered off after catching his studs in the turf on
the half way line after just 12 minutes of today's game, which was won by a
late Jermain Defoe strike. Boa Morte was instantly taken to hospital where
it has since been confirmed that he has sustained anterior cruciate ligament
damage to his right knee - an injury that will rule the 31-year-old out of
action for several months. "The news was confirmed on whufc.com with a brief
statement that read: "Boa Morte was fitted with a knee brace before being
carried from the pitch on a stretcher. He was taken to a city centre
hospital by ambulance for treatment, accompanied by physiotherapist Tom
Smith." "Having been assessed, the midfielder returned to the team hotel on
crutches, where he was welcomed by manager Gianfranco Zola and his
team-mates. Boa Morte will undergo further tests to determine whether or not
he will require surgery when the swelling on his injured knee goes down."
Pre-season pain: crocked in the summer
July 2009: Luis Boa Morte sustains cruciate ligament damage during a 1-0
defeat to Tottenham in China.
August 2007: Kieron Dyer is ruled out for 18 months after breaking a leg in
the win at Bristol Rovers.
July 2007: Julien Faubert ruptures an achilles during the pre-season
friendly in Austria against Sigma. Out for six months.
July 2007: Scott Parker's Hammers career is put on ice after tweaking knee
ligaments in the same game that saw Faubert crocked.
June 2006: Dean Ashton is ruled out for a year after having his ankle broken
during an England training session.
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Asia Cup: West Ham Utd 0 Tottenham 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th July 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham were dumped out of the Asia Cup at the first hurdle in Beijing
after an insipid display aginst local rivals Tottenham. Despite featuring an
almost full-strength team Gianfranco Zola's side were distinctly second best
against a Spurs team fresh from playing in last weekend's Wembley Cup. The
only goal of the game arrived just 15 minutes from time, although in truth
it had been a long time coming. Rob Green, who had been in impeccable form
until the point somehow allowed a Jermain Defoe effort to squeeze through
his legs before trickling over the goalline. That strike was no more than
Tottenham had deserved, for the Hammers had barely threatened the opposition
goal - as was so often the case in the final third of last season. So
woeful were United in attack that they had to wait until the 74th minute -
just seconds before Tottenham's goal arrived - before registering a decent
shot through Jack Collison; thereafter Carlton Cole (with an 82nd minute
mistimed volley) was the only player to briefly worry the Spurs goal. Sadly
the pre-season injury jinx struck again as Luis Boa Morte sustained
suspected ligament damage following an innocuous challenge after just 12
minutes. He was immediately replaced by Mark Noble. Next up for the Hammers
this coming Friday is the loser of the other semi-final between Hull City
and Beijing, which is currently taking place.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Upson, Collins, Ilunga, Boa Morte (Noble
12), Dyer, Collison, Jimenez, Stanislas, Cole.
Subs: Stech, Kurucz, Spence, Spector, N'Gala, Tomkins, Gabbidon, Noble,
Parker, Payne, Savio, Hines.
Tottenham Hotspur: Cudicini, Hutton, Huddlestone, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto,
Naughton, Palacios, Modric, O'Hara, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe.
Subs: Gomes, Alnwick, Chimbonda, Dervite, Bale, Bostock, Bentley, Lennon,
Keane, Rose.
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Zola hopes for Balotelli deal
Hammers boss urges Inter striker to move to Upton Park
Last updated: 30th July 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola believes it would be in Mario Balotelli's interests for the
Inter Milan striker to join West Ham United. Hammers boss Zola is keen to
improve his striking options, with Carlton Cole currently his only senior
fit front man. Dean Ashton is working his way back to fitness, Savio Nsereko
is still unproven, while David Di Michele and Diego Tristan left Upton Park
at the end of last season. Zola has now lined up a move for teenage ace
Balotelli, who has struggled to make an impact for Inter since Jose Mourinho
took over as coach. West Ham are in talks with Inter over a deal and Zola is
hoping Balotelli will follow Luis Jimenez in making the move from the San
Siro to England. "I have done everything I can to sign Mario," said Zola.
"It would be in both our interests if he came to West Ham. "There's no
place for him at Inter and he's a natural talent. "He is extroverted and
knows his attitude can upset people, but he's intelligent and still learning
to handle situations."
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Boa Morte blow confirmed
Winger set to be sidelined until 2010
By Chris Burton Last updated: 29th July 2009
SSN
West Ham have revealed that Luis Boa Morte's knee injury could keep him out
of action until the New Year. The Portuguese forward sustained anterior
cruciate ligament damage during Wednesday's Asia Trophy contest with
Tottenham. An innocuous-looking challenge with Benoit Assou-Ekotto saw Boa
Morte jar his knee and crumple to the turf in agony. Club medics tended to
the injury on the field before the former Arsenal and Fulham ace was
stretchered away with his leg in a brace. He was rushed straight to a
Beijing city hospital for treatment, escorted by West Ham physio Tom Smith.
Having been assessed, Boa Morte was then allowed to rejoin his team-mates at
the team hotel, but he is now walking with the aid of crutches. Further
tests are due to be carried out on the problem area once the swelling goes
down, determining whether or not surgery will be required.
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Defoe strike sinks Hammers
Boa Morte injury overshadows result
Last updated: 29th July 2009
SS N
Tottenham produced an impressive performance to beat West Ham 1-0 in the
first game of the Premier League Asia Trophy. Spurs dominated throughout and
could have won far more convincingly if their finishing had been better,
with the only goal of the game coming deep into the second half when Robert
Green failed to make a routine save from Jermain Defoe. The result was
overshadowed by West Ham midfielder Luis Boa Morte suffering a suspected
cruciate ligament injury which could sideline him for some time. Boa Morte
had to be stretchered off the field after landing awkwardly in the 10th
minute following a challenge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto. The Hammers had started
sluggishly in humid conditions and Tottenham continued to be much sharper
for the remainder of the first half, although they wasted a number of
chances to open the scoring. Roman Pavlyuchenko, starting alongside Defoe
with Robbie Keane on the substitutes' bench and Peter Crouch not signed in
time to make the trip to Beijing, struck the post with a curling effort. Tom
Huddlestone, Luka Modric and the lively Jamie O'Hara also shot wide from
distance as Tottenham failed to make the most of some fluent moves. West Ham
offered almost nothing as an attacking force, with new signing Luis Jimenez
disappointing, and were pushed further back at the start of the second
period. A penalty appeal was turned down following an apparent tug on
Modric, before Spurs finally managed to make the breakthrough on 75 minutes.
Keane, on for Pavlyuchenko, released Defoe through a gaping hole in the
Hammers defence and the England man's strike squirmed through the grasp of
Green and trickled over the line.
A fightback never looked likely as West Ham grew tired, but both sides will
learn lessons from the work-out and continue their preparations for the new
season with further games on Friday.
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Etherington eyes Ashton swoop
Stoke winger would welcome Hammers striker
Last updated: 29th July 2009
SSN
Matthew Etherington believes West Ham forward Dean Ashton would be an ideal
summer signing for Stoke boss Tony Pulis. The Hammers striker, who has been
badly hit by injuries in recent years, has been linked with a switch to the
Britannia Stadium. And winger Etherington, who played alongside the
25-year-old during his time at Upton Park, feels a move to the Potters would
lift all parties. James Beattie was a revelation up front for Stoke
following his January arrival from Sheffield United, with Etherington
believing Ashton could have a similar impact. "Dean will score goals for
us, there's no shadow of doubt about that," he told the Stoke Sentinel. Give
him the right service and he'll pop them in like James Beattie. "He'll be a
great asset if we can get him. There's not only the goals, but also a great
ability as well. "If we can get him fully fit, which I'm sure we can, then
he's a top, top player. He must be to have played for his country. "His
injury has set him back, but I really do believe he can be a great asset if
we do sign him."
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Pulis still confident of Ashton deal
TeamTalk
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has assured Potters fans an injury to Luis Boa
Morte will not prevent him from signing West Ham striker Dean Ashton. Stoke
been chasing Ashton for most of the summer but making slow progress in their
pursuit of the once-capped England international. The negotiations are now
nearing a positive conclusion after the two clubs agreed a deal that could
eventually be worth £10.5million to West Ham, but fears were raised when Boa
Morte suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in the Asia Trophy on
Wednesday.
However Pulis has moved to reassure fans by insisting that will not hold up
the Ashton transfer. He told the Stoke Sentinel: "Whether we do sign Dean or
don't sign Dean, I'm not sure what happened to Boa Morte is an issue."
Matthew Etherington and James Beattie have both gone on record to welcome
the almost-certain arrival of Ashton, while West Ham have handed the
25-year-old's number nine shirt to Junior Stanislas for the new season. It
remains unclear how soon Stoke will be able to wrap up the Ashton transfer
but they are hopeful of having at least one new signing in their squad for
Saturday's friendly at Derby.
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Is Balotelli the Right Signing?
West Ham Till I Die
All the West Ham sites are full of Zola's comments this morning about
signing Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. He's basically told him he is
West Ham's number 1 target. All well and good. By all accounts he is quite a
player, and we'd be lucky to have him. But at 18 years old, and by all
accounts a bit of a tricky personality, is he really what we need now?
Shouldn't we be trying for an out and out goalscorer. Admittedly his record
for Inter is not bad - 11 in 33 appearances, but can we really be
considering £8 million for a player who has only played 33 times?
Sorry to sound downbeat, and I really don't mean to. Normally I would be
really excited about signing a prospect like this - but that is all he is, a
prospect. As is Savio, as is Nouble.
If we are able to get Balotelli and a proven goalscorer too, I'd be very
happy, but I hope it is not one and not the other.
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Martin O'Neill ready to splash £12m on Matthew Upson
The Mirror
By Football Spy 30/07/2009
Aston Villa are poised to make a £12million move for West Ham defender
Matthew Upson. Martin O'Neill has been tracking the England centre-back
(above) for some time and is ready to make his move with Zat Knight on his
way to Bolton and Martin Laursen retired. West Ham will do business if they
get a reasonable offer, while Upson is desperate to play in Europe to boost
his hopes of making the World Cup squad. Villa boss O'Neill is believed to
want to pair Upson with another transfer target, Portsmouth's Sylvain
Distin. But Pompey want £4.5m for Distin and it is understood O'Neill is
unwilling to pay that much for a 30-year-old in the final year of his
contract.
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Boa Morte out for six months
ViewLondon.co.uk
Luis Boa Morte has been taken to hospital with a knee injury after falling
awkwardly in West Ham United's pre-season friendly defeat to Tottenham in
China. The Hammers midfielder jarred his knee on the turf in Beijing in a
challenge with Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto and was carried off on a
stretcher. Boa Morte, whose time with West Ham has been marred by injury
already, was fitted with a knee brace and taken away in an ambulance. And
scans later revealed that the Portuguese player has suffered cruciate knee
ligament damage that rules him out until early 2010. Immediately after the
match, West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola told Sky Sports: "It's not looking
very good. I feel very sorry for him." West Ham lost the Asia Trophy
semi-final 1-0, with former Hammers striker Jermain Defoe scoring the only
goal of the game inside the last 15 minutes. The tournament also involves
fellow Premier League side Hull City alongside local side Beijing Guoan.
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Aston Villa join race for West Ham defender Upson
30.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Aston Villa are interested in West Ham United defender Matthew Upson. The
Birmingham Mail says Villa have joined the list of suitors, which include
Arsenal and Manchester City, chasing the England international. Villa boss
Martin O'Neill wants to make two defensive signings in the remaining weeks
of the market.
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Bristol City insist no offers for West Ham, Sheffield Utd target Basso
30.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson insists no offer has arrived for Brazilian
goalkeeper Adrian Basso. Sheffield United and West Ham have been linked with
Basso, who is considering a move away this summer. Johnson said: "Until
somebody speaks to me then it's speculation. We've received no calls."
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Kovac in focus for West Ham after Boa Morte crock
30.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is set to step up his bid for Spartak
Moscow midfielder Radoslav Kovac. The Daily Mail says Zola could be forced
to spend on a new midfielder after Luis Boa Morte suffered a devastating
blow during this morning's pre-season clash against Spurs. The Portuguese
international is out until Christmas after rupturing his cruciate knee
ligaments in the opening exchanges in the Beijing contest. Czech Republic
midfielder Radoslav Kovac, who spent the back end of last season on loan at
the Barclays Premier League outfit, remains an option with the club weighing
up a renewed £4million offer to sign the Spartak Moscow man on a permanent
basis.
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West Ham to use Ashton cash for Barcelona's Gudjohnsen
30.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola remains determined to sign Barcelona
striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. The Daily Mail says the sale of Dean Ashton would
generate vital funds for West Ham with Zola refusing to give up on former
Chelsea colleague Gudjohnsen. The Icelandic international is available at
£5million from European champions Barcelona.
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