Owen is upbeat as arch rivals get ready to clash

MICHAEL OWEN believes England have a better chance of winning the World Cup next year than at any time since he burst onto the international scene at France ‘98 against Argentina.

Owen has seen England knocked out of the past two World Cups by Argentina in 1998 and Brazil in 2002, but insists they have no reason to fear either of the South American sides ahead of next summer’s finals.

Having lost to Argentina on penalties in France but having then defeated them in Japan, England take on their arch-rivals once again in a friendly in Geneva tomorrow.