Posts Tagged ‘Germany’
Michael Owen refuses to talk up World Cup chances after hat-trick
December 10th, 2009 | 
Author: Michael Owen refuses to talk up World Cup chances after hat-trick
• Striker scored three goals in the game against Wolfsburg
• Owen praises makeshift United squad for creating chances
Michael Owen celebrates scoring against Wolfsburg in the Champions League. Photograph: John Macdougall/AFP/Getty Images
Michael Owen has refused to speculate on his chances of going to the World Cup in South Africa next summer. After the Manchester United striker's Champions League hat-trick last night there were suggestions he may have moved closer to securing a place in Fabio Capello's squad, but Owen himself was reluctant to discuss the matter.
"I have never liked talking about myself too much," he said. "I always prefer to talk about the team. It is nice to score a hat-trick and the last one was probably the best but you can't do something like that without the team playing really well and big credit must go out to the other lads, especially in defence given we had so many injuries."
Owen scored his first Champions League treble since 2003 in last night's 3-1 win over Wolfsburg in Germany. The result confirmed United as Group B winners, which should ensure a more favourable knockout round draw, even if Milan and Porto are already among the potential opponents for Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
Although United were missing 14 senior players, Owen praised those on the pitch for providing him with the chances from which to score.
"I am enjoying playing for Manchester United," said the 29-year-old. "There are only a few teams that you can play in and expect to get chances. This is one of them.
"Scoring them is a different matter. As everyone knows, scoring goals is probably the hardest thing to do in the game. But given the quality you are playing alongside and the amount of chances you do get, it is easier here than at most clubs."
World Cup – Fear France: England’s group of death
France's shock exclusion from the top group of seeds for the World Cup increases England's chances of being in a group of death.
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Although Fabio Capello's men have been included among the eight elite teams, they could end up facing the French or Cristiano Ronaldo s Portugal in the first round.
The term 'group of death' was first coined in 1986, when Scotland were drawn with West Germany, Denmark and Uruguay – and duly came bottom.
However, England could face a draw that makes the Scots' challenge look like a walk in the park, with a host of strong sides awaiting including Les Bleus – whose 'hand of frog' goal against Ireland, set up by Thierry Henry s handball, caused a storm of protest.
The eight groups feature one team from each of the four pots, and the huge variation in quality within the pots mean Friday's draw in Cape Town will be absolutely crucial.
As well as France, England could face a USA side that beat Spain en route to this year's Confederations Cup final – Bob Bradley's team are the best in pot 2, which features teams from Asia and Central America.
And a strong Ivory Coast side, starring Didier Drogba, could complete the Group of Death, with pot 3 containing African and South American countries.
Teams from outside pot 1 will be desperate to be grouped with a mediocre South Africa side who, as hosts, are included along with the seven top-ranked nations.
ENGLAND'S GROUP OF DEATH
England
USA
Ivory Coast
France
ENGLAND'S GROUP OF LIFE
England
Algeria
Slovakia
New Zealand
The pots for Friday's World Cup draw to be hosted in Cape Town.
Pot 1 (seeds): South Africa (Group A), Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain
Pot 2: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, USA, New Zealand
Pot 3: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland
One team from each pot will be drawn into the eight opening round groups for the tournament from June 11-July 11.
Follow the draw LIVE on uk.eurosport.yahoo.com, with the action getting under way at 16:00 UK time on Friday!