Michael Owen's World Cup hopes appear doomed

Published on Monday 9 November 2009 21:28

MICHAEL Owen's World Cup dream appears to be over.

After being overlooked since the friendly defeat in France over 18 months ago, it was expected Owen would eventually force his way into Fabio Capello's England squad after he completed a surprise summer move to Manchester United. Yet Owen has found a starting spot hard to pin down at Old Trafford.

Despite Dimitar Berbatov's absence, he was only on the bench for United's defeat at Chelsea on Sunday. Capello does not feel it is enough to warrant Owen's inclusion, despite citing the striker as "my torment" in a recent interview. And, after leaving him out of his squad for Saturday's friendly with Brazil in Qatar, it is difficult to envisage that stance changing.

If Owen is despondent, Darren Bent will join up today with a clear sense of focus.

Bent has fallen behind Carlton Cole in the battle to be back-up to Emile Heskey as England's main striking target man and not even some fine early-season form for his new club Sunderland, and a ringing endorsement from manager Steve Bruce, had been enough to get him back in – until now.

With Heskey and Cole both ruled out of what will be England's 31st meeting with the most glamorous team on the planet, after which there will be just one game – next March – before Capello must name his provisional squad, Bent has been handed his chance.

Whether the 25-year-old edges ahead of Peter Crouch, who has a remarkable record of 16 goals in 17 starts for his country, is open to question. However, Capello will probably want to see Bent in action at some stage and the former Tottenham player, who left White Hart Lane in acrimonious circumstances this summer, must not waste the opportunity.

David Beckham will miss the game on Saturday after the Los Angeles Galaxy as they reached the Major League Soccer Western Conference final with a victory over Chivas USA.

The Galaxy progressed to Friday night's game against Houston Dynamo with a 1-0 second-leg win over Chivas at the Home Depot Centre courtesy of a 73rd-minute Landon Donovan penalty that gave them a 3-2 aggregate victory. The win leaves the Galaxy just one game away from the MLS Cup final which decides the league champions.