Owen fresh to take on Tunisia

MARSEILLE, FRANCE, June 14: England coach Glenn Hoddle, known for doing the unexpected in his playing days, is prepared to gamble on the pre...

MARSEILLE, FRANCE, June 14: England coach Glenn Hoddle, known for doing the unexpected in his playing days, is prepared to gamble on the precocious talents of 18-year-old Liverpool striker Michael Owen for tomorrow’s opening World Cup game against Tunisia.

Hoddle is keeping his starting 11 secret. But there have been enough hints that Owen figures very much in his plans, either in preference to Alan Shearer’s strike partner Teddy Sheringham or as a substitute.

Owen, who became England’s youngest goal scorer when he netted against Morocco last month, has impressed Hoddle with his qualities, particularly his stunning pace.

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Owen has no self-doubts. “I feel I am ready and, if I play against Tunisia, I think I’ll score,” the youngster said.

It is England’s 10th World Cup appearance, having won the crown in 1966, while Tunisia’s only previous experience was in 1974. Their other Group G rivals are Colombia and Romania. England has not conceded a goal in its last four internationals apart from in a penaltyshootout against Belgium. That means Tunisia will face a defence that appears sound, especially with tough-tackling mid-fielders Paul Ince and David Batty shoring up the rear guard.

But the North Africans have a wily campaigner in their Polish manager Henryk Kasperczyk, who played in the Polish team which eliminated England in the qualifying stages of the 1974 World Cup.

“I’ve put England out of the World Cup once. Why shouldn’t I help do it again,” Kasperczyk said.

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