Beckham, Owen hatch cunning plan to beat Argentina

June 5, 2002

SAPPORO, Japan (AP) -- Argentina better watch out. David Beckham and Michael Owen are devising a cunning plan for a victory at the World Cup.

Owen makes one of his fast runs at the defenders, the sort that led to a memorable goal against them in 1998. Either they can't catch him or they can only stop him with a foul, and Beckham fires home the free kick.

Simple.

The two England stars say they don't plan to resort to tomfoolery. Although Owen has gained a reputation among some defenders for a tendency to dive, it's his sheer speed that makes it seem that way, he contends.

Owen scored three times in a qualifying game against Germany in Munich in a 5-1 victory for England. The Germans couldn't handle his ability to time his runs, and Argentina will be well aware of that.

"They do play a different style of football to us," Owen said, referring to the Argentina players who edged Nigeria 1-0 in their opener. "There's a lot more shirt-pulling and grabbing, especially on set pieces."

Owen might want to begin his forays from a little deeper, running at defenders instead of from them. And, if Argentina wants to concede free kicks 25 yards from the goal, Beckham will be waiting.

The England captain, whose team started with a disappointing 1-1 tie against Sweden, can't wait to take one of his trademark, long-range free kicks after he was shut out by the Swedes.

"I will be dreaming about it the night before," he said. "I didn't get one the other night. I think we will have to use a bit more cunning. As Diego Maradona said about his team, they are cunning players. If they use things to get an advantage, then they will do that.

"England are not so cunning as that, but we will see. I wouldn't expect our players to play certain tricks, but you never know."

Beckham and Owen go into Friday's game with mixed memories of their last World Cup meeting with Argentina at Saint-Etienne, France.

Owen's wondrous goal, in which he took a pass from Beckham in midfield on a breakaway and shot into the roof of the net, was one of the best of that championship. Although it put England ahead, Argentina came back to tie it 2-2. Then Beckham was ejected for a retaliatory kick at Diego Simeone early in the second half.

Down to 10 men, England held on for 70 more minutes to take the second-round game into a shootout, but lost on penalty kicks.

As long as England wins this time, Owen doesn't mind how he scores.

"Let's hope for a bobble off the knee this time," he said. "It would be a big surprise to score another goal like that. I hope to score any old tap-in.

"We don't want to get beaten again; we don't want them to get used to beating us. We don't want to get used to getting beaten by them.

"It's a big game and we need to get something out of it."

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa has tried to shield his players from all the publicity surrounding the game, the most anticipated first-round matchup.

"We'll prepare for this match like we do for any other," he said. "I respect England for their players, their collective presence and the team's management."

Gabriel Batistuta, who now has 10 World Cup goals and is chasing Gerd Mueller's career record of 14, also said it was just another important match.

"I don't have any special feelings for the England game," he said. "I have nothing against the English people. It won't be easy at all. The English haven't just come out here to have a good time. They also want to get to the final."