McCarthy has eyes on prize
WHUFC.com
Benni McCarthy was an unused substitute as South Africa won 5-0 against
Guatemala on Monday night
31.05.2010
Benni McCarthy will hope to be included in South Africa's final 23-man squad
for the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday although he missed out on an expected
playing return in the final friendly before the selection was finalised.
McCarthy remained on the bench for the 5-0 defeat of Guatemala at the Peter
Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Monday night although his international
manager Carlos Alberto Parreira had previously backed the striker to prove
his worth. He is tipped to make the final 23-man selection despite much
media scrutiny over his condition in recent weeks. Parreira is mindful of
the quality that has brought McCarthy 32 goals in 78 caps since his debut in
June 1997 and has managed his progress carefully. Like fellow Premier League
player Kagisho Dikgacoi, who has also had limited match action in recent
months, the West Ham man has been given every chance to stake a claim for
inclusion. McCarthy, a veteran of the 1998 and 2002 World Cups with two
goals in six appearances overall at the finals, had a second-half run-out in
the 2-1 friendly win against Colombia last Thursday, although the Hammers
forward found the going tough against a rugged South American side. The
striker was back in action after a frustrating start to his West Ham career
since his February move from Blackburn Rovers. Injury problems meant he made
just two starts and three substitute appearances in four months, but his
national-team coach was not worried. Parreira said: "They are not starting
from zero with their fitness, but they have experience. I still have to look
at Benni and some other players. "Benni did not do much during the game
against Colombia because the opposition was too hard on us, but we have
other games." South Africa get the finals under way on Friday week when they
take on Guillermo Franco's Mexico in Johannesburg.
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World Cup Hammers
WHUFC.com
Fifteen West Ham United players have represented the club at previous FIFA
World Cup finals
31.05.2010
Ahead of Tuesday's final selection of the England squad for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup in South Africa, a search through the archives reveals that a
total of 15 West Ham United players have represented the club at previous
tournaments. Bobby Moore leads the way, lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy as
England captain in 1966, while also being named in the Three Lions squad for
the 1962 and 1970 tournaments. The late, great Moore is one of four Hammers
to have won the World Cup. Martin Peters and hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst
famously combined to score England's goals in their 4-2 triumph over West
Germany at Wembley on 30 July 1966. Less well-known is the fact that Bernard
Lama was still a West Ham player when the 1998 tournament began in his
native France. Although he did not feature on the pitch, the goalkeeper was
part of the 23-man squad that lifted the World Cup in Paris on 12 July 1998.
From Harry Hooper in 1954 to Shaka Hislop in 2006, the club has been
represented at ten World Cup finals, with the likes of Robert Green, Valon
Behrami, Jonathan Spector and Benni McCarthy set to make that eleven in
South Africa next month.
1954 - HARRY HOOPER (England)
Born in Pittingdon, County Durham in June 1933, Harry Hooper signed for West
Ham United as a teenager, making his debut against Barnsley on 3 February
1951 at just 17.
Three years later, the speedy winger was named in England's 22-man squad for
the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland. However, Hooper was one of five
players left at home on 'standby' by manager Walter Winterbottom and he
never won a senior cap.
1962 - BOBBY MOORE (England)
While Bobby Moore's heroics at the 1966 and 1970 FIFA World Cups are
well-documented, supporters may be surprised to learn that the Hammers great
was an England regular at the 1962 tournament began in Chile.
Just eleven days after making his debut against Peru in Santiago and wearing
the unlikely squad number of 16, the 21-year-old started all four of
England's matches as they took on Hungary, Argentina and Bulgaria before
being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Brazil.
1966 - GEOFF HURST, BOBBY MOORE and MARTIN PETERS (England)
World Cup 1966
The Hammers holy trinity were all vital to England's only major tournament
success, with Bobby Moore captaining the side and anchoring the defence,
Martin Peters providing thrust and energy in the midfield and Geoff Hurst
putting chances away up front.
Skipper Moore was an ever-present, while 22-year-old Peters featured in five
of the six matches after being introduced to the side in the second
group-stage fixture against Mexico. He would also open the scoring in the
final win over West Germany.
Hurst, meanwhile, famously took advantage of an injury to Jimmy Greaves to
score the quarter-final winner against Argentina before his unforgettable
hat-trick in the final.
1970 - GEOFF HURST and BOBBY MOORE (England)
1970 World Cup
Captain Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst were both named in Alf Ramsey's squad as
England attempted to defend their title in Mexico.
Hurst scored the winner in England's opening group-stage victory over
Romania and also started the 1-0 defeat by Brazil and the 3-2 quarter-final
defeat by West Germany. Moore, of course, started all four matches for his
country, making what has become one of the most famous tackles in football
history on Brazilian legend Pele.
1982 - TREVOR BROOKING (England) and FRANCOIS VAN DER ELST (Belgium)
After two tournaments without any West Ham United representation, the 1982
event in Spain provided two Hammers with their sole shot at FIFA World Cup
glory.
For Trevor Brooking, then 33, the competition would last just 26 minutes as
his one and only appearance came as a second-half substitute in England's
frustrating goalless second group-stage draw with the hosts in Madrid.
Forward Van der Elst, meanwhile, was a half-time substitute in Belgium's 1-0
first group-stage victory over El Salvador and the 3-0 second group-stage
defeat by Poland.
1986 - FRANK McAVENNIE (Scotland) and ALVIN MARTIN (England)
Alvin Martin was the defender who did not face the challenge of containing
Argentina's Diego Maradona in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final in
Mexico City. The centre-back made his only appearance of the tournament in
the 3-0 second-round victory over Paraguay, only to lose his place to Terry
Fenwick for the Argentina fixture.
Having helped to fire the Hammers to third place in Division One just a few
weeks earlier, Frank McAvennie appeared twice at the FIFA World Cup. The
Scotland striker appeared from the substitutes bench in the 61st minute of
the 1-0 defeat by Denmark and 2-1 loss to West Germany.
1990 - LUDEK MIKLOSKO (Czechoslovakia)
West Ham United goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko found himself as backup Sparta
Prague stopper Jan Stejskal as Czechoslovakia reached the quarter-finals of
the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
1998 - BERNARD LAMA (France) and RIO FERDINAND (England)
West Ham United's fourth FIFA World Cup winner was goalkeeper Bernard Lama,
who had joined the club just six months before the tournament began in his
homeland. The 35-year-old found his path to the starting XI blocked by
Fabien Barthez.
Ferdinand, then just 19, had made three friendly appearances before being
named in Glenn Hoddle's squad for the 1998 tournament, where he was kept out
of the team by Sol Campbell, Tony Adams and Gareth Southgate.
2002 - TREVOR SINCLAIR, JOE COLE and DAVID JAMES (England)
World Cup 2002
Trevor Sinclair emerged as a star of the 2002 FIFA World Cup for England
after replacing the injured Owen Hargreaves in the opening group-stage draw
with Sweden before starting against Argentina, Nigeria, Denmark and the
quarter-final defeat by Brazil in Shizuoka, Japan.
Exciting youngster Joe Cole was handed a substitute against Sweden, but
goalkeeper David James was left out in favour of David Seaman.
2006 - SHAKA HISLOP (Trinidad and Tobago)
World Cup 2006
West Ham United's 37-year-old goalkeeper Shaka Hislop was already a star in
Trinidad and Tobago before making his name with some heroic displays at the
2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. There, Hislop kept a clean sheet in a
goalless draw with Sweden before playing well in 2-0 defeats by England and
Paraguay.
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European glory for Hall
WHUFC.com
Robert Hall was part of England's UEFA European U17 Championship final
triumph over Spain on Sunday
30.05.2010
Robert Hall completed a perfect UEFA European Under-17 Championship by
helping England to a 2-1 final victory over Spain. The West Ham United
forward was sent on as a substitute for the final seven minutes as the Young
Lions held off the Spanish challenge in the Liechtenstein capital Vaduz on
Sunday afternoon. England's victory came courtesy of first half goals from
Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom and Ipswich Town striker Conor Wickham.
Wisdom had earlier given Spain the lead with an unfortunate own-goal.
The success was England's first in the tournament's 28-year history and
first at any level since a side containing the likes of Gary Neville, Sol
Campbell, Paul Scholes and Robbie Fowler won the European U18 Championship
in 1993 - the year 16-year-old Hall was born. The Aylesbury-born player now
possesses an amazing 16-match unbeaten record in England U17 colours - 14 of
them victories. Hall could even have added to his tally of eight goals in
that span had it not been for a smart save from CD Roda goalkeeper Adrian
Ortola. The youngster had another chance in added-time, only to be denied by
a sliding challenge from a defender. John Peacock's squad ended their
European Championship campaign having won all eleven matches they have
contested in this year's competition, winning all six qualifiers and five
games at the finals. In Liechtenstein, Hall scored on his only start in the
2-1 Group B victory over Turkey, while appearing as substitute in all of
England's other four matches. Due to his young age, the Hammers youngster
will be eligible to play in the same tournament next season. While Hall was
involved at U17 level, Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker had a
watching brief as England's senior side also came from behind to beat Japan
2-1 in a friendly in the Austrian city of Graz earlier on Sunday afternoon.
While Green can be confident of his place in Fabio Capello's final 23-man
squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Upson and Parker now face
an anxious wait before the manager confirms his selection on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Fabio Daprela was ruled out of Switzerland's UEFA European U19
Championship Elite Round qualifiers in Austria through a minor leg injury.
The left-back expects to be back in action in a fortnight, but will be
disappointed to have missed out as the Swiss finished bottom of Group 7 with
one win and two defeats from three matches. In the same tournament, winger
Danny Kearns will hope to be involved when the Republic of Ireland tackle
Bosnia & Herzegovina in their final Group 3 fixture in Kiev, Ukraine on
Monday. The Irish need to win and hope England lose to the hosts to have any
chance of progressing to the finals in France in September. Finally, Peter
Kurucz played the whole second half as Hungary's U21s were edged out 2-1 by
Norway at the Briskeby Stadion in Hamar on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers
goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the 45 minutes he was on the pitch.
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Stoke stash a Cole pott
The Sun
Published: Today
TONY PULIS will smash Stoke's transfer record with a whopping £12million
offer for Carlton Cole. Potters boss Pulis wants to throw in striker Dave
Kitson as part of the deal with West Ham. Cole, 26, is also a target for
Aston Villa, Liverpool, Birmingham and Bayern Munich.
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Stoke to launch record £12m bid for West Ham star
Published 22:45 31/05/10 By Football Spy
The Mirror
Tony Pulis is ready to smash Stoke's transfer record with a whopping
£12million offer for Carlton Cole. And ambitious Potters boss Pulis will
also offer striker Dave Kitson as part of the deal to prise Cole away from
West Ham. Stoke are desperate to make a "marquee" signing this summer and
are prepared to DOUBLE their previous transfer record of £6m for Robert Huth
to sign Cole. The England international, 26, has been a long-term target for
Pulis and Stoke's money men have agreed to push the boat out. Bayern Munich
will threaten the deal as they are set to make a substantial offer of their
own - with the carrot of Champions League football next season. Aston Villa,
Liverpool and Birmingham could also table bids, but Stoke are ready to act
quickly to swoop for Cole. Pulis will throw in striker Kitson as a sweetener
for the deal, after running out of patience with the £5.5m misfit. Kitson
clashed with Pulis after the 7-0 defeat to Chelsea in April and will be
offloaded this summer.
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Chelsea move for Benayoun as Cole nears exit
Published 12:13 31/05/10 By Football Spy
The Mirror
Chelsea have paved the way for Joe Cole to leave this summer by making a £4m
offer for Yossi Benayoun, according to reports in this morning's papers.
Liverpool are understood to have rejected Chelsea's initial offer for the
Israeli flair player but the Blues are confident an improved bid of around
£6m will be enough to tempt the Reds into doing business. The move for
Benayoun lseems to indicate Chelsea are planning for life without Joe Cole.
The England man is out of contract this summer and had hoped to secure an
improved deal with the club. But financial restructuring at Stamford Bridge
means he was not offered what he was hoping for and now looks set to leave
on a free transfer. Manchester United and Tottenham are thought to be
leading the race for one of the hottest free-transfers in years, but Arsenal
are also rumoured to be keen on bringing him to The Emirates. Cole has
already rejected a move back to his former club West Ham.
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Carlton Cole begs West Ham United's owners not to sell him - report
30 May 2010 18:52:00
Goal.com
Carlton Cole is so desperate to stay at Upton Park he has reportedly pleaded
with West Ham United's owners not to sell him, according to the News of the
World. Cole and the rest of the Hammers' squad have been put up for sale by
David Sullivan after a season that saw the club come close to relegation.
The only player that has not been put on the transfer list is Player of the
Season Scott Parker. And the newspaper claims that since Sullivan's
statement, Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham, Birmingham City and Stoke City have
all enquired about recruiting Cole. But the 26-year-old is apparently
settled in London and hopes to be part of the Irons' squad for next season.
Former Portsmouth manager Avram Grant is expecting to take over at Upton
Park shortly, replacing Gianfranco Zola who was sacked at the end of last
season.
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ENGLAND KEEPER PAYS TRIBUTE TO DAD
Green speaks of father's influence in FA video
News Of The World
By Tom Barclay, 29/05/2010
ROB GREEN has paid tribute to the man that set him on his way to becoming an
international footballer - his dad. The West Ham goalkeeper took part in
six exclusive behind-the-scenes FA videos along with England colleagues
Ashley Cole, James Milner, Michael Carrick and Matthew Upson. The films see
the Three Lions squad members speaking about the coaches that inspired their
first steps in football. "My first coach was my dad," said the 30-year-old
'stopper, who hopes to be England's No.1 in South Africa this summer. "He
was the coach of our local Sunday League team and got his FA coaching badges
to extend his knowledge of the game and learned how to make training
interesting for the team."
The videos are designed to encourage football fans and parents to take The
FA's Youth Award, a new course designed to help coaches get the very best
out of a young player's potential. England U21 coach Stuart Pearce said:
"What better time to get more quality coaches into football than when the
nation is inspired by England competing in the World Cup. "The FA Youth
Award receives the full support of Fabio Capello and the England team who
want fans, players and parents to take their first steps into coaching this
summer."
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COLE HOPING TO STAY PUT AT WEST HAM
Striker is settled in London
News Of The World
By Greg Gobere, 29/05/2010
CARLTON COLE is desperate for West Ham's owners to go back on their pledge
to put him and his team-mates on the open market. Just days after securing
survival in the Premier League, co-owner David Sullivan declared that every
member of the Hammers squad was for sale - except Player of the Year Scott
Parker. Since then Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham, Birmingham and Stoke have
all enquired about recruiting the former Chelsea striker. But Cole, 26,
hopes his suitors fail to prise him away. He is settled in London and would
prefer to be part of Avram Grant's new era. Grant is an admirer of the
player but knows that if he is to boost his squad, higher-value assets such
as Cole, Robert Green and Matthew Upson will have to be sacrificed.
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POMPEY WILL LOSE BEN HAIM ON A FREE
Hammers favourites to land Israeli
News Of The World
By Neil Ashton, 29/05/2010
BUNGLING Portsmouth will miss out on a £4m pay-day after Tal Ben Haim
revealed that he had a relegation release clause written into his contract.
The central defender, on £40,000 a week at the FA Cup finalists, can leave
for nothing after they were sent back to the Championship. Ben Haim asked
for an escape clause to be inserted into the deal when he signed from
Manchester City last summer and will quit Portsmouth this summer on a free.
Amazingly Pompey agreed to his request and it means the Israeli can quit
Fratton Park without a transfer fee. The Israeli international defender is a
target for a number of Premier League clubs, with West Ham favourites to
sign him. Ben Haim's career has stalled since his £5m switch to Chelsea in
2007, spending a season at Manchester City before a loan spell at
Sunderland. He made 22 appearances for Portsmouth last season after signing
a four year contract when he moved from the City of Manchester Stadium. Ben
Haim was in the losing team against Chelsea in this year's FA Cup final, but
it will be his last game in a Pompey shirt. Pompey are desperately trying to
offload players in an effort to bring in some cash and trim their wage bill.
They remain in administration following the disastrous business dealings of
the previous management at the club. David Nugent is expected to be next off
the payroll, with Bolton one of the clubs interested in signing him.
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