WHUFC.com
Deniz Mehmet's Turkey are through to the FIFA U17 World Cup second round
with a game to spare
29.10.2009
Deniz Mehmet and his Turkey team-mates are through to the FIFA Under-17
World Cup second round after thrashing Costa Rica 4-1 in the pair's
re-arranged Group D clash in Enugu, Nigeria. The original fixture was
goalless when it was abandoned after 21 minutes on Wednesday after the
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium pitch was rendered unplayable by continuous
torrential rain. The match was replayed in drier conditions on Thursday
afternoon, with Mehmet producing an assured display as the Turks followed up
their opening 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso with a comprehensive success.
Abdullah Ercan's side are now unassailable at the top of their group with
six points from two matches. New Zealand, who Turkey face in Calabar on
Saturday, are second with two points, while Costa Rica and Burkina Faso have
one point each. Omer Ali Sahiner fired Turkey into a third-minute lead
before Muhammet Demir scored for the second straight match half an hour
later. Engin Bekdemir added a third three minutes before half-time before
Costa Rica pulled a goal back through Jonathan Moya, the first Mehmet had
conceded in the tournament. Turkey scored their fourth goal through Gokay
Iravul with 20 minutes remaining, securing their progress to the last 16.
Ercan's youngsters will now face a second-round clash in Enugu with one of
the best third-placed nations from Groups B, E or F on Wednesday 4 November.
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Polish lessons please Bondz
WHUFC.com
Bondz N'Gala says there were many plus points from the reserves' creditable
2-2 draw in Poland
29.10.2009
West Ham United reserve-team captain Bondz N'Gala and the rest of the squad
returned home on Wednesday afternoon buoyed by an impressive 2-2 draw with
Polish top-flight side Arka Gdynia. Tuesday's game was watched by a large
home crowd inside the stadium, while the match was relayed live on
television across the country. N'Gala believes that kind of experience,
which was so different to reserve games, can only help the development of
the young team, which included no fewer than nine teenagers in its starting
XI. "It was a great experience playing in front of a very lively crowd of
about 4,000," N'Gala said. "It was some of the lads' first trip away and I
think we gelled quite well. It always helps to go away together as it brings
the team that much closer. "It was different as away games aren't normally
proper away games in the reserves. So playing this game gave everyone a feel
for what it is like to play away from home with other supporters cheering
for them and not for you."
The reserves have not hit the back of the net as much as they would have
liked in recent weeks, so they will no doubt have been boosted by Terry
Dixon and Fabio Daprela's first goals for the club as they begin to prepare
for next Tuesday's return to league action away at Fulham. N'Gala was
particularly pleased to see Dixon take another big step forward on his road
to back to full fitness. "I'm happy for Terry to get his first goal. It was
good to get him off the mark and hopefully he can push on from there. It
will give us some confidence. We scored, which we haven't done enough of
this season."
Central midfielder Nigel Quashie, who along with N'Gala was just one of two
players with first-team experience on show for the Hammers, was an assured
presence throughout and his captain was grateful to have an older head
around. "I thought Nigel Quashie was really good. He is mature and helps us
a lot and he always calms us down. I am young and I am still learning so
it's good to have an experienced player calming us down and getting us
playing again."
*Forward Anthony Edgar has returned to the club after his one-month loan
deal with Bournemouth finished. Edgar has been training with the first-team
squad this week.
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Mensah set for Hammers trial
African goalkeeper bids to win permanent deal
Last updated: 29th October 2009
SSN
Togo international Cedric Mensah has confirmed to skysports.com he is in
talks to go on trial at West Ham United. The 22-year-old goalkeeper has
impressed on the international arena since breaking into the full Togo
national side. Mensah has been playing for French side Paris FC but is now
set to try his luck in England. Portsmouth have also been mooted as possible
suitors, with Mensah keen to one day ply his trade in the Premier League. "I
have contacts, I am a full international for Togo," he told skysports.com.
"There are other clubs interested and German clubs are after me. "But I
would love one day to play in the Premier League."
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Tabanou aware of interest
French starlet could move on in the summer
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 29th October 2009
SSN
Reported West Ham transfer target Franck Tabanou admits he could be tempted
to leave Toulouse in the summer. The 20-year-old midfielder has caught the
eye with a series of mature displays since breaking into Toulouse's first
team this season. It is thought a number of clubs across Europe are keeping
an eye on his progress, with West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola rumoured to be
one of the strongest suitors. Tabanou is keen to complete the current
campaign with Toulouse but is open to the possibility of leaving France at
the end of the season. Acknowledging reported interest from England, Tabanou
has left the door open for an approach from Upton Park. "I know of interest
from several clubs, I know West Ham have an eye on me," he told Le Quotidien
du Foot. "Next summer will be the right time to watch out where I could go.
"But I will only make a choice after considering the sporting project. It
won't come down to money."
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Sunderland v West Ham United: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Sunderland v
West Ham United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday Oct 31 2009, kick-off
15.00 GMT.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 6:00AM GMT 30 Oct 2009
Saturday, Oct 31
Sunderland v West Ham United
Stadium of Light
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
TV: Highlights, BBC1 MotD.
Sunderland, who are bidding to win successive games for the first time in 31
outings, have won two and drawn one of their last four in the Premier
League, but went out of the Carling Cup on penalties to Villa on Tuesday.
The visitors have not won since the opening day of the season, at Wolves,
when they won 2-0 at Molineux. West Ham did the double over Sunderland last
season, including the 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light with an early goal
from Valon Behrami.
Sunderland are still without Lee Cattermole while West Ham miss Scott Parker
through suspension, while Dean Ashton and Luis Boa Morte are long-term
absentees. Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer undergo tests.
Sunderland (Probable, 4-4-2): Gordon; Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand,
McCartney; Malbranque, Zenden, Cana, Reid; Jones, Bent.
West Ham United (Probable, 4-4-2): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga;
Noble, Behrami, Parker, Jimenez; Diamanti, Cole.
Referee: Andre Marriner. Matches: 7. R3 Y23.
Last season: Sunderland 0, West Ham 1; West Ham 2, Sunderland 0.
Stat of the game: West Ham have gone eight games without a win, their worst
run in the Premier League since March 2007 when they failed to win in 11.
Betting tip: A draw is 11-4.
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Ferdinand relishing Hammers battle
Safc.com
Anton Ferdinand says West Ham are like 'family' - but he'd like nothing more
than to get one over on them this Saturday. West Ham United are still "like
family" to Anton Ferdinand - but the Sunderland defender has his sights
firmly set on three more points this weekend. It's just over a year since
the 24-year-old left his native London bound for the north east after being
purchased by former Sunderland chief Roy Keane. He'll face his former
employers once more tomorrow with both sides desperate for points for very
different reasons. Gianfranco Zola's Hammers are looking to climb out of the
bottom three, while Sunderland are hoping to avenge last week's Barclays
Premier League defeat at Birmingham. Speaking exclusively to SAFC TV,
Ferdinand said: "I'll get to see a lot of people who watched me grow up
there - a second family, you could say. "I'd been [at West Ham] since the
age of 9, so it will be nice to play against them, but there's been massive
changes since I left. "I was sad to leave but you move on. I hope they stay
in the Premier League because that club deserves nothing more than being in
the best league in the world." He continued: "I've not beaten West Ham since
I left, so it would be nice to do it this time at home. The fans are always
behind us and they are like the 12th man. "Hopefully we can come away with a
good result. When West Ham are playing any other team I want them to win,
but obviously not this time." Twelve months on from his move for a reported
£8m, Ferdinand admits he's loving life in the north east. He explained:
"It's gone very quickly - it seems like yesterday I was leaving my family to
come up here. It's been enjoyable, a good year on and off the pitch."
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Bruce's respect for Hammers boss
Safc.com
As Sunderland prepare to face West Ham, Steve Bruce has spoken of his
respect for Hammers chief Gianfranco Zola. Steve Bruce has spoken of his
respect for West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola as the pair prepare to face each
other at the Stadium of Light this weekend. Widely regarded as one of the
finest foreign players ever to play in England, Zola joined West Ham as boss
just over a year ago following a distinguished playing career. The former
Napoli and Parma man became a legend for Chelsea before moving across London
following a spell as a player at Cagliari and as the manager of the Italian
under-21 side. "Gianfranco is a man I have huge respect for," Bruce said.
"We talk about great players too much but he was one of the greatest foreign
players ever to play in England. "I have the utmost respect for what he's
done as a manager as well because it can't be easy for him at West Ham at
the moment with all the talk of takeovers and what not. "It's unsettling and
difficult for a manager, especially one in his first job, but Gianfranco did
that last year. I can't see West Ham being at the bottom when the medals
are handed out at the end of this season; they have too many good players.
"He is also a genuinely nice man and a role model for footballers in the way
he played his football, looked after himself and lives his life. "He had
unbelievable enthusiasm; top, top ability and was one of the best players I
ever played against. Everyone wants him involved in the Premier League. "If
he does half as well as a manager as he did a player he'll be fine."
The Hammers go into the game sitting second-bottom of the Barclays Premier
League following a tough start to the season. They have six points from
their first nine games.
But Bruce is expecting a tough encounter and the Hammers served notice of
their intentions by coming back from two goals down to claim a draw against
Arsenal last week.
"They gave a great response against Arsenal last week, which shows good
spirit. It will certainly not be easy for us. "We've only lost once at home
this season, against Chelsea - I count Villa as a goalless draw - and we
need to keep that winning run going. Our downfall last year was that we
didn't win enough games at home. "West Ham's tradition and history dictates
they play the game in the right way. They will come here looking to win,
that's for sure. I think it will be a good game."
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Bent is winning race for fitness
Oct 29 2009 By James Hunter, Evening Chronicle
GOAL king Darren Bent is expected to be fit to face West Ham this weekend.
Sunderland's eight- goal top-scorer missed the midweek Carling Cup penalty
shoot-out defeat against Aston Villa after picking up a knee injury in last
Saturday's league reverse at Birmingham. But Black Cats boss Steve Bruce
said today he hopes his £12m record buy will be fit when the Hammers come to
the Stadium of Light on Saturday – although he still has a huge injury
headache with Lee Cattermole (knee), Bolo Zenden (hamstring) and John Mensah
(calf) ruled out. And George McCartney (hip), Phil Bardsley (shoulder) and
Fraizer Campbell (hip) are all major doubts. Bruce said: "Darren is a doubt
but I expect him to make it this weekend – and if he does, it will be a huge
boost for us. "He took a horrible whack on his knee at Birmingham in the
early part of the game and you could see that he was worried about it and it
affected his performance for the rest of the game. "He was still walking a
bit gingerly on it on Monday morning, which is why he didn't play against
Villa, and I pulled him out of training for a couple of days. "But he
trained today and hopefully he will have no reaction to it. "As for the
other lads, we know Catts is out long- term, I can't see Bolo making it and
John Mensah is still struggling with his calf strain. "George, Phil and
Fraizer are all very doubtful and, to be honest, I don't expect them to be
fit. "When you play two or three games a week, the downside is that you
inevitably pick up a few knocks."
Cattermole is ruled out until the New Year with medial ligament damage
suffered in Sunderland's win against Liverpool a fortnight ago, while Mensah
is likely to be sidelined for another two to three weeks. But Bruce is
hoping that the rest of his injury problems will clear up in time for the
Black Cats' game at Spurs in nine days' time.
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