Brazil 2014: Eagles can’t stop Messi, Aguero– Owen

England legend, Michael Owen, does not reckon with
Nigeria’s Super Eagles as one of the teams that would make
appreciable impact at the 2014 World Cup scheduled to kick
off in Brazil on Saturday.
The former Liverpool of England fiery forward believes that
the Nigerian defence would find Barcelona of Spain talisman,
Lionel Messi, and Manchester City of England prolific
attacker, Sergio Aguero, too hot to handle when the Super
Eagles clash with Argentina in their last Group F fixture on
June 25.
Interestingly, Owen does not give the Three Lions of England
any chance of getting close to the final in Brazil. Instead, the
diminutive former forward who marked the 1998 World Cup
with a memorable solo run and finish against Argentina,
before the Three Lions succumbed to defeat on penalties,
believes the Albiceleste will be the team to beat in Brazil.
Acoording to him, Argentina boasts of two of the
tournament’s most dangerous players in Aguero and Messi
and, therefore, most favoured to lift its third World Cup trophy
after successes in 1978 and 1986.
He said exclusively on sports social network
Sportlobster.com: “I believe Argentina is favourite. It has
good players throughout the team, but Sergio Aguero and
Lionel Messi just tip it.
“It will be extremely difficult for teams to stop these two
players from scoring. The Argentines are more or less in their
own backyard and they’re used to the altitude and weather.
“They will also have fantastic support. However, it is the fact
they have two of the finest players in the world which just
swings it for me.
“The team may have some defensive concerns, but
Argentineans are typically streetwise. I honestly believe they
have more quality than the other nations.”
Owen, who played for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester
United, also selected Japan as his surprise package for the
tournament.
He added: “I believe Japan will have a good tournament.
They have an average World Cup group, one or two top-class
players, they performed well in the Olympics and are always
extremely fit.
“I don’t think they will progress to the semi-finals, but the
quarters are a possibility.
“Belgium probably aren’t dark horses anymore – it isn’t a
secret that they have outstanding players.
“Uruguay are also a decent bet for the World Cup, especially
if Luis Suarez fires like he did in the Premier League.”