Michael Owen on the move

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

OWEN AIN'T REAL ANYMORE - Treavor Sinclair - Joey Barton Ivan Campo - Cambodian Coach O'Donnell Faces 1st Test Result Cambodia 2 Singapore 3 - Brunei & Indonesia Drop Out of Pre-SEA Games Tourney - PRE SEA GAMES SCHEDULE - FIFA Top 10

Wednesday September 1, 2005

MICHAEL OWEN GOING, GOING, GONE - NOT REAL

Michael Owen got out of Dodge and ain't Real (Madrid) anymore when he agreed to join Newcastle United in a four year $28.6 million deal.

Media opinion has it that Owen needs playing time or PT as sports analyst Dick Vitale would say, to insure his position on the England national side. With Real Madrid's acquisition of two Brazilian's players PT for Owen there was unlikely.

Owens's not being listed on the squad as a starter or on the bench last week wasn't exactly the smell of wine and roses. The team was going in another direction and Owen wasn't on the direction list.

The 16 goal scorer last season and pent up talent was harnessed like raging rapids being dammed up to be held under control.

No matter what Owen did he could not get in the good graces for the three coaches he played for in his year's stay at Real to be a regular starter.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said Owen needs playing time for him to be in form for the national team. At Newcastle he will have that.

The move to Newcastle will be a benefit for both parties. Newcastle needs the 25-yar-old striker to partner up front team with former national side teammate Alan Shearer in a 4-4-2 setup that is Owen's favorite.

The two know how to play together Newcastle's offense has been dreadful with zero goals and one point in their first four contests. They are thirsty for some scoring punch and spark. They now have that with Owen.

BECK-EM-IZED™

You know things are changing in Phnom Penh's when you walk the streets and see a beauty/barber shop sign with the face of David Beckham smiling at you.

MAN CITY ON THE MOVE

Manchester City are the poor boys in town when it comes to football. They could be considered the bride's maid to strongmen Manchester United.

For the city boys' things are ah-change-in with the return of Treavor Sinclair. Manager Stuart Pearce said it was good to have the former England national back.

The Brahma Bull sized Sinclair is working his way through recovering from an injury and regain his form.

When Man C played Bolton In Bangkok in July Sinclair's bullet pass to Joey Barton for an opening goal was indicative of his value.

His deft passing and clear mental attitude gives a side a dimension more than talent.

JOEY BARTON - IVAN CAMPO

Prior to the Bolton Manchester Cuty game in Bangkok in July I didn't know who Everton's Joey Barton was. He jumped to my attention during that game when he kept jostling with Bolton's giant Ivan Campo.

Campo ignored him and kept swatting Barton away like an elephant would do with his trunk when swatting an annoying fly off his back.

Campo was taking up a lot of space at midfield and making key stops. It seemed to be too much for Barton. The referee had to intercede get his massage across for them to chill.

Later at the team hotel Barton had a fight with a 15-year-old male football fan. Baton was sent home and but later apologized.

A few days after his brother got in trouble with the law. Result from all of this adversity is Barton is producing on the field.

One thing is certain… Barton can play and is a mixer. His intensity and enthusiasm is hard to come by as well as self-control.

SINGAPORE 3 - CAMBODIA 2

A month after taking on the Cambodian national coach position Scott O'Donnell had a chance to put it all on the line and see what he has in the way of a squad. O'Donnell assembled a side with only five players having previous national team experience.

In their first match at the Pre-SEA Games in Bangkok Monday August 29, they went down in a hard fought 3-2 defeat to Tiger Cup champions Singapore.

Midfielder Nasa remains. The five-year veteran has been a stalwart on the team with all of the six/five coaching changes.

INDONESIA & BRUNEI DROP OUT OF PRE-SEA GAMES COMPETITION

Indonesia and Brunei dropped out of the competition leaving the event with eight teams. The reshuffled groups now include:

Group A: Philippines, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia and Timor Leste (East Timor),

Group B: Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos Pre-SEA Games schedule

Aug 29: Singapore 3 - Cambodia 2; Thailand 3 vs. Laos 1

Aug 30: Philippines 0 vs. Myanmar 3; Malaysia vs. Timor (Timor forfeit due to late arrival to Bangkok)

Aug 31: Cambodia vs. Thailand; Laos vs. Singapore

Sep 1: Myanmar vs. Timor; Malaysia vs. Philippines

Sep 2: Thailand vs. Singapore; Cambodia vs. Laos

Sep 3: Timor Leste vs. Philippines; Myanmar vs. Malaysia

Sep 4: Rest Day

Sep 5: Semi Finals

Sep 6: Rest Day

Sep 7 Finals

FIFA TOP TEN

Rank/Team/Points

1. Brazil - 837

2. Argentina - 782

3. Netherlands - 780

4. Czech Republic - 777

5. Mexico - 770

6. USA - 768

7. England - 743

8. Spain - 739

9. France - 737

9. Portugal - 737

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