Owen eyes Israeli favour
Thursday, 15 November, 2007
Michael Owen believes that England can still make it to Euro 2008 - as he reflects on being in this situation before.
Austria v England
International Friendly
8pm, Friday 16 November 2007
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Live on Sky Sports
Michael Owen is taking encouragement from a match that took place way back in October 1999 as he persuades himself, and the nation, that England can qualify for Euro 2008.
Owen knows, as we all do, that England’s fate is not in their own hands as Group E reaches a climax over the next few days.
But when the Newcastle striker settles down to watch Israel take on Russia on Saturday desperately hoping for the home side to grab a result in Tel Aviv, he only has to think back eight years to start believing.
Owen was part of Kevin Keegan’s England side that battled through the Euro 2000 qualifiers and on that occasion they also needed a helping hand.
Keegan’s men finished the campaign in second spot in Group five but knowing Poland could overtake them by taking a point in Stockholm.
The whole squad gathered together to watch the match on 9 October 1999, 24 hours before facing Belgium at the Stadium of Light in a friendly fixture.
It was a nerve-wracking affair because with an hour on the clock it was still 0-0. But then a goal from Kennet Andersson put the Swedes ahead after 64 minutes and Henrik Larsson hit a 90th minute second in a frantic finale.
England celebrated by beating Belgium the next day with goals from Alan Shearer and Jamie Redknapp - and then overcame Scotland in a Battle of Britain play-off thanks to two superb goals from Paul Scholes at Hampden Park.
“I remember the Sweden game,” said Owen. “I watched it. In fact we all watched it together. This time we'll have flown back from Austria and we'll be watching the Israel game at home before meeting up on Sunday. So fingers crossed for a similar result! Israel is a tough place to go. Their record bears that out. So we have to stay positive.”
Owen insists he will prepare for Friday’s friendly in Austria and next Wednesday’s potentially crucial game against Croatia as if everything is up for grabs.
He said: “We've got to prepare as if we've got a chance. It would be unprofessional not to. We've got to make sure our minds are right for Friday, first of all, and then mainly on Wednesday because if an opportunity comes along, we've got to make sure we take it.
“ If we got to the tournament and did really well, no one would remember how we got there. They'd be celebrating.
“We have to stay positive. If someone did us a favour and we weren't in the right frame of mind to take advantage, it would be criminal.”