Owen: "Only Brazil Are Better"

Last updated : 10 October 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

Following on from the horror show in Belfast, and a not much better performance at Old Trafford on Saturday, it takes a brave man to say "only Brazil are better equipped than England to lift the World Cup next summer". Yet Michael Owen is that man!

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side booked their place at the finals with a 1-0 win over Austria on Saturday and face Poland on Wednesday needing to win to top their qualifying group.

Michael Owen: "We will go there with a squad that, apart from Brazil maybe, I am sure is not bettered. I would not settle for getting knocked out in the last four. The aim is certainly to get as far as the semi-finals - but it wouldn't stop there.

"There is no hiding the fact that we have been below par. The competitive results have been decent enough - seven wins, one draw, one loss. No-one can say we did not deserve to qualify, but I would say we have done 20% of the work towards lifting the trophy. The other 80 starts now.

"We have to get the confidence that has been missing in recent matches. We have to start playing like contenders for the World Cup."