WEST Ham United drew 1-1 with Osasuna in their final pre-season
friendly at Upton Park, but could not reclaim the Out
Performance Display Cup after losing 8-7 in an entertaining penalty
shoot-out.
Anton Ferdinand's 14th minute goal gave Hammers the lead, but a
debatable penalty in the 73rd minute allowed Osasuna to equalise.
Then after a lenghty shoot-out, which saw Ward and Benayoun miss
for the Hammers, the end came when Tomas Repka failed to score
twice, seeing his initial kick and the retake saved by goalkeeper
Elia as Osasuna lifted the OPD Cup.
For the final pre-season game before the start of the new Premier
League season there were Upton Park debuts for Roy Carroll, Danny
Gabbidon, Paul Konchesky and Yossi Benayoun as Pards named a strong
side for the visit of Osasuna.
In midfield, Nigel Reo-Coker partnered the experienced Christian
Dailly, while up front Marlon Harewood was paired with Teddy
Sheringham. Anton Ferdinand partnered Gabbidon in the centre of
defence with Tomas Repka taking up his usual station at right-back.
The opposition, Osasuna, have competed in Spain's top-flight
since winning promotion in 1999-2000. After a difficult season last
term they finished 15th in the League just one point above the
relegation zone, but enjoyed success in the Copa Del Rey and
reached the Spanish Cup Final for the first time in their history.
Sadly, Osasuna lost out to Real Betis in the Final, and ironically
it was former Hammers striker Dani that scored the winner.
Hammers ran out in their brand new white and dark blue away kit for
the very first time and began the game well.
It took just two minutes to register their first effort on goal,
former Manchester United goalkeeper Ricardo's poor clearance
presenting Sheringham with a shooting chance, but his effort was
hit straight at the relieved goalkeeper.
At the other end, Hammers own former Old Trafford 'keeper was
fairing far better, racing from his line to snatch the ball from
the toe of striker Valdo.
Captain Christian Dailly's stinging volley flew just wide after
10 minutes, but it was a different story for Anton Ferdinand
in the 14th minute as he found the net to give West Ham United
the lead.
Matty Etherington swung across a corner from the left, Christian
Dailly did well to head the ball down and Ferdinand turned to fire
through a crowded penalty area and low past Ricardo to make it
1-0.
Hammers were enjoying themselves against their Spanish opponents,
stringing together some fine moves, particularly down the left
where Konchesky was providing a lively presence in tandem with
Etherington.
The Spanish visitors were showing plenty of fiery Latin passion in
their game and with half an hour gone it threatened to spill over
when Enrique Martin was booked for showing dissent after a blatant
foul on Repka.
Dailly was unlucky to concede a free-kick for what appeared to be a
well-timed tackle on Valdo, and from the resulting set-piece
Osasuna had their first real shot, Savo Milosevic firing well over
from 25 yards.
Moments later Mohammed Yaagoubi went closer stinging the palms of
Roy Carroll with a well-struck drive from long range, but the
Hammers goalkeeper saved with ease in front of an appreciative
Bobby Moore Lower.
Despite looking sharp in attack, Hammers could not muster another
test for Ricardo. But they could be more than satisfied with their
first-half performance, leading 1-0.
HT: 1-0
Pards kept an unchanged team for the start of the second-half and
they were quickly into their stride, Nigel Reo-Coker just failing
to control a cross from Matty Etherington as he burst into the box.
With the second-half just three minutes old Tomas Repka surged down
to the by-line and crossed to the near post for Marlon Harewood,
but he couldn't quite bring the ball under his spell inside the
six yard box, allowing Ricardo to claim at his feet.
Moments later Sheringham headed just wide at the back
post from Paul Konchesky's cross, before Yossi Benayoun
got himself on the end of a cross from the former England striker
only to head straight into the arms of Ricardo from 12 yards out.
On 54 minutes Pards made four changes, Marlon Harewood, Teddy
Sheringham, Nigel Reo-Coker and goalscorer Anton Ferdinand making
way for Bobby Zamora, Shaun Newton, Mark Noble and Upton Park
debutant James Collins.
Noble's impact was immediate, the England Under-19
international sending a drive from all of 30 yards whistling over
Ricardo's crossbar.
With the hour mark just past, Pards sent on Hayden Mullins and
Elliott Ward in place of Christian Dailly and Paul Konchesky, with
Newton taking over the captain's armband.
On 66 minutes Elliott Ward threatened to add to the afternoon's
centre-half goal tally, bringing the ball down well inside the box
and executing an acrobatic volley that Ricardo did well to save.
Hammers were looking untroubled until the 73rd minute when an
innocuous looking challenge in the air by Gabbidon on substitute
Webo had referee Keith Stroud pointing to the spot.
Midfielder Punal stepped up to plant the ball past Roy Carroll and
make it 1-1.
Moments later Carroll departed, Shaka Hislop receiving a brilliant
recpetion on his return to Upton Park for the first time since
leaving the Club in June 2002.
Hammers pushed hard to win the game, but despite three minutes of
added time Alan Pardew's men could not find a way through
a stubborn Osasuna defence and their final pre-season game before
the start of the new season ended 1-1.
PENALTY SHOOT-OUT
Oroz (Osasuna) - scored to Hislop's left sending the
goalkeeper the wrong way.
Noble(Hammers) - scored, Elia guessing right but the shot too low
and powerful.
Romeo (Osasuna - Hislop makes a comfortable save down to his right
from a weak peanlty.
Ward (Hammers)- Big defender goes for power but Elia saves
down low to his right.
Webo (Osasuna)- Scores to his left sending Hislop the wrong
way.
Zamora (Hammers)- An excellent penalty, hard and low
sending Elia the wrong way.
Delporte (Osasuna)- Hislop went the right way and got his hand
to the ball but couldn't claw it out.
Collins (Hammers)- Powerful penalty sending Elia the wrong way.
Sota (Osasuna)- Went to the left and sent Hislop the
wrong way.
Williams (Hammers)- Powered the ball down the middle, Elia was wise
not to get in the way.
Clavero (Osasuna) - A cool penalty to beat Hislop.
Newton (Hammers)- Captain's penalty high and powerful to
Elia's left.
Flano (Osasuna)- Sends Hislop the wrong way to score.
Mullins (Hammers)- Fires firmly to Elia's right to score.
Cruchaga (Osasuna)- Hislop makes a fantastic save, diving to his
left to palm the ball onto the post.
Benayoun (Hammers)- Tries a chipped effort that Elia catches
comfortably.
Izquierdo (Osasuna) - Sends Hislop the wrong way, firing to the
'keepers right.
Gabbidon (Hammers)- Coolly slots home to Elia's right.
Cuellar (Osasuna)- Hislop goes the right way but can't get
his hands to it and is beaten.
Repka (Hammers)- After a fantastic reception, Repka smashes
the ball to Elia's right only for the 'keeper to guess
right and save. But referee Stroud adds to the drama by ruling that
the goalkeeper moved too early.
The retake sees Repka hit exactly the same penalty and suffer the
same outcome as Elia saves and Osasuna win the Out
Performance Display Cup 8-7 on
penalties.
WHU: Carroll (Hislop 75); Repka, Konchesky (Ward 61), Ferdinand
(Collins 54), Gabbidon, Reo-Coker (Noble 54), Dailly (Mullins 61),
Benayoun, Etherington (Williams 75), Harewood (Zamora 54),
Sheringham (Newton 54).