Parker hails “do or die” attitude

December 21, 2009

West Ham produced a very good performance against Chelsea on Sunday to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw in a match that saw the referee award 2 penalty kicks, one for each side, that were converted to goals.

West Ham’s hard-working midfielder Scott Parker, who played an outstanding game against The Blues, hailed his side’s “do or die” attitude.

“It was do or die for us,” he told Sky Sports. “And we’ve gone out there and gave our all against a very good Chelsea side.

“We’ve been lacking a little bit of fight, passion and a bit of the gritty stuff of late but today we did that.

“It’s a massive result for us although obviously we would have loved to get the three points.

“But it’s a big lift and we were not expecting it. We’ve done really well and we can now push on.”

Parker also commented on the controversial penalty awarded to Chelsea, “I don’t think it should have been one.

“It’s a harsh penalty. But the linesman thought it was one. That’s how it goes.”

Tags: attitude, CHELSEA, controversial penalty, game, linesman, little bit, match, Parker, passion, referee, scott parker, Sky Sports, stuff, west ham

Parker set for Hammers return against Villa

November 4, 2009

Scott Parker is set to return for West Ham against Aston Villa in Wednesday’s Premier League match after serving a one-game ban.

The Hammers captain is expected to be back in a midfield that will definitely be without Radoslav Kovac, suspended after being sent-off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has no fresh injury worries but the Italian remains without Kieron Dyer (hamstring), Dean Ashton (ankle) and Luis Boa Morte (knee).

The London club have not won in the Premier League since the opening day of the season, when they beat Wolves, and a heavy defeat on Wednesday could send them below current basement side Portsmouth at the foot of the table.

“We are going to give the fans our first home win (in the league this season),” said Hammers assistant manager Steve Clarke on Tuesday.

“We are gong to give them the win they want. They have a good memory of the finish of the Arsenal game where we finished strongly (to draw 2-2 from 2-0 down).

“They are going to take us into those two matches and they are going to push us to the win that we need. It’s important we get a win sooner rather than later so tomorrow (Wednesday) night is a terrific chance for us.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: arsenal, boa morte, dean, dean ashton, game ban, injury worries, kovac, london, london club, Luis Boa, midfield, opening day, Parker, Portsmouth, premier league, Radoslav Kovac, scott parker, steve clarke, Sunderland, wednesday night, west ham, wolves, Zola

South Africa striker Parker uncertain for Brazil

June 25, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – South Africa face a worrying 24 hours to find out if striker Bernard Parker will be fit for Thursday’s Confederations Cup semi-final against Brazil.

Parker picked up a minor knee injury in training on Wednesday and is due to undergo medical tests later on Wednesday and in the run-up to kick-off.

Coach Joel Santana reported: “Bernard had a slight problem and he was advised not to continue training.

“He’ll be having check-ups to see if he is able to play. It’ll be a shame if he doesn’t take part tomorrow (Thursday) as he’s a new and spontaneous talent.”

The Red Star Belgrade forward has been instrumental in getting South Africa into the last four with his two goals sinking New Zealand to help the hosts take the runners-up spot in their group.

That brace was sweet redemption for Parker after he unwittingly blocked Kagisho Dikgacoi’s goal-bound header in the 84th minute of the opening 0-0 draw with Iraq.

The winner of Thursday’s game will play the victor of Wednesday’s semi-final in Bloemfontain between Spain and the United States.

Tags: Belgrade, Bernard, Bernard Parker, bloemfontain, brazil, check ups, coach, confederations cup, hosts, Iraq, Joel Santana, johannesburg, knee injury, medical tests, New Zealand, Parker, red star belgrade, runners, santana, shame, South Africa, Spain, sweet redemption, United States, ups, WC Qualifying South-Africa

Iraq stifle South Africa in Confed Cup opener

June 15, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – The 2009 Confederations Cup opened with a goalless stalemate between hosts South Africa and Asian champions Iraq at Ellis Park here on Sunday.

With Group A favourites Spain, in action against minnows New Zealand later on Sunday, expected to steamroll into the semi-finals, the point apiece keeps both teams in the running to join the Euro 2008 winners as group runners-up.

South Africa coach Joel Santana said his Bafana Bafana side had been undone by a combination of missed chances and Iraq’s defensive strategy.

“We had 17 shots on goal, compared to three from Iraq,” the Brazilian remarked.

“After a nervy start we controlled all aspects of the game and could have scored three or four goals. I was surprised at the way they held back in defence.

“Do you know how many minutes we played football in the first half? 32! It wasn’t us stopping the match all the time. They tried to paralyse the game.

“This wasn’t the result we wanted but I don’t think we played badly.”

Iraq’s experienced coach Bora Milutinovic defended his tactics.

“To some the game may have been boring. For me it was one of the highlights of my career, and now we have a point and a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.”

Santana gave a starting place to the nation’s favourite footballer, Teko Modise, who sat out the warm-up win over Poland, with Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar, who had limped off injured in that match, on the bench.

Milutinovic, opting for a five-man backline, had the luxury of fielding a full-strength side captained by striker Younis Mahmoud with the artful Nashat Akram in midfield.

In a cagey first half, one of the rare bright moments came early on when Russia-based midfielder MacBeth Sibaya forced Iraq goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid into an athletic dive to keep out his angled 20-metre attempt from the right.

That effort came minutes after Kassid had safely scooped up Bernard Parker’s shot from outside the box.

Akram, who will be the first Iraqi to play in western Europe after signing for Steve McClaren’s Dutch side FC Twente, had a frustrating time, sending one free-kick over Itumeleng Khune’s bar and another into the South African wall.

South Africa striker Thembinkosi Fanteni picked up a yellow card from Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda after an over-zealous tackle on Iraqi midfielder Karrar Jasim in the opening minutes.

With a quiet or perhaps not-so-quiet word from Santana ringing in their ears, South Africa emerged for the second half with much more urgency, encouraging the home crowd of 48,837 or so which included South Africa President Jacob Zuma.

Dominating play, the hosts had a clear chance in the 69th minute only for Fanteni’s miscued shot to edge wide of Kassid’s right-hand post, the Maccabi Haifa striker banging his head with his fist in frustration.

After Akram received the second booking of the encounter Fanteni was at the centre of the action again, rising above the Iraqi defence to head Siboniso Gaxa’s corner just over the crossbar.

Katlego Mashego then came on for Fanteni and the Orlando Pirates striker quickly found himself with only Kassid to beat in the box, but the Iraqi keeper did well to snuff out the danger.

With five minutes left on the clock, Parker will never know how he failed to tap the ball home when faced with an open goal.

Santana introduced Pienaar in a last-ditch effort to grab the points but to no avail.

South Africa are next up against New Zealand on Wednesday with Iraq facing the Spaniards.

Tags: 17 shots, 2009 confederations cup, backline, bafana bafana, Bernard Parker, Bora, coach bora milutinovic, ellis park, euro 2008, footballer, Iraq, jacob zuma, Joel Santana, johannesburg, Jorge Larrionda, minnows, modise, Mohammed Kassid, nashat akram, New Zealand, Parker, Poland, russia, semi finals, shots on goal, South Africa, south africa coach, stalemate, Steve McClaren, steven pienaar, teko, WC Qualifying South-Africa, western Europe, younis mahmoud

Scott Parker extends with West Ham

February 14, 2009

Midfielder Scott Parker has extended his deal with West Ham United, and will now remain at Upton Park until 2013.

Last month, Parker was frequently linked with Manchester City but the 28-year-old eventually opted to stay in London. "I am very happy, please and excited – especially after all the speculation in the transfer window," he said about his new contract.

Parker has played for Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Chelsea and Newcastle United in the past, before joining the Hammers in 2007.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda