Michael Owen Biography
Michael Owen : Striker
Nickname:
Date of Birth: 14/12/1979
Squad: number: 10
Height: 5' 8
Weight: 10st 9lbs
1st team games: 209
1st team goals: 112
International caps: 42
International goals: 18
Characteristics: A national hero at 18. Lightning fast, deadly finisher
Former clubs: Trainee
Birth Place: Chester
Website:
Michael Owen holds off Graeme Le Saux
Michael Owen evades Dean Richards' challenge
Gary is still delighted with supersub Michael Owen's goal
Michael Owen shields the ball from Paul Williams
Michael Owen celebrates his goal
Michael Owen thanks Emile Heskey for the cross
Michael Owen scored on his debut for the Reds at Wimbledon in 1997 and hasn't looked back since.
The star of Liverpool's 1996 FA Youth Cup triumph, he emerged as this country's most precocious young talent and in February 1998 became the youngest player this century to represent England.
Michael, who's father Terry was a professional with Everton and Chester, has been with the club since a schoolboy and scored prolifically as he rose rapidly through the Anfield ranks.
His first season in the Premiership saw him hit 21 goals and he bettered that by two in the following campaign. During the summer of 1998 he achieved worldwide fame following his stunning strike in the World Cup second round clash between England against Argentina. Off the pitch he collected the PFA Young Player of the Year for season 1997-98 and in 1998 was also voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
A serious hamstring injury, sustained against Leeds towards the tail end of the 1998/99 season, stalled his progress but he's managed to bounce back.
He played in England's three Euro 2000 games, scoring against Romania, and his two goals against AS Roma in the UEFA Cup, not to mention his late brace in the FA Cup Final against Arsenal, confirmed his standing as one of the most exciting strikers in Europe.
Another goal followed in a Man of the Match display against Bayern Munich as Liverpool won the Super Cup in Monaco.
He followed that up by scoring a sensational hat-trick in England's 5-1 win over Germany, becoming the first England player since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick against Germany.
Michael was named European Footballer of the Year in December 2001 and scored his 100th Liverpool against West Ham at Upton Park on 29th December 2001. He scored two goals for England in the World Cup Finals against Denmark and Brazil, and won a vital penalty against Argentina.
› first team squad
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Michael Owen was always a Liverpool lad and was trained and groomed by them from a young age , they did not have to groom him for long though as he broke through into the first team at a young age and actually had the hounour of being the youngest player to represent his country for a century.
In a opening season to his anfield carrer that could be described as nothing short of fantastic he managed to net 21 goals and was being given world-wide acclaim for his frightening pace and great finishing. The start of his International performances were also praised and he was credited for a great goal against Argentina in World Cup 98. The year's of 97 and 98 were just getting better and better for Owen as he collected a few prestige awards from the PFA and also he picked up the BBC sports personality of the year.
Michael Owen found himself in slight injury problems when he sustained a serious hamstring injury against leeds united towards the end of the 98-99 season. His performances were few and far between however he was still scoring goals when called upon at both club and international level.
The year 2000 was better for Owen as he continued to elevate his performances at both club and international level , his crucial goals included a euro 2000 goal against romania and two goals for Liverpool in there win over Roma in the UEFA cup , not to mention a winner for Liverpool in there FA Cup victory over Arsenal.
The Award for european footballer of the year 2001 went to Owen as he also recorded a international hat trick against Germany in a match many England fans will not forget for a while. Michael Owen is now looking forward to many World Cup competitions and also looking forward to his 200th apperance for Liverpool and he made his 100 th against West Ham at Upton Park on 29th December 2001.
In the year of 2002 the English Premier Division came to a close will Michael Owen's side Liverpool just beating Manchester United to the second spot and although Michael wasn't very involved due to fitness problems in earlier stages his goals ended up keeping Liverpool in the pack for the title in the latter stages of the competition. The World Cup of 2002 hosted in Japan and Korea seen Michael Owen's name become more world renound than ever as he gave top class performances in every game and even scored twice , this took his fanbase world wide even more than ever.
Profile:
Twenty-two year old Michael Owen has already written his name in the football history books. In February 1998, he became the youngest player in the 20th Century to receive an England cap. Aged just 18 years and 59 days, he was three months younger than the previous record-holder, Duncan Edwards of Manchester United.
He showed exceptional promise from a very early age. By the age of 10, he had set a new schoolboy goal-scoring record of 92 goals in a season. At 14, he joined the Football Association's School of Excellence at Lilleshall. In 1996, Owen led the Liverpool juniors to FA Youth Cup victory, hitting a hat-trick in the final against Manchester United. He made his league debut in May 1997. Nine months later, this three-year contract was prematurely extended by another five years, with considerably better conditions.
In February 1998, Owen pulled on the England jersey for the first time in the game against Chile and walked away with the man-of-the-match award. Three months later, he scored his first goal for England, helping his side to a 1-0 victory over Morocco.
He forced his way into Glenn Hoddle's England squad for the FIFA World Cup France 98TM, where he dazzled the entire football world with his maturity. And in England's second round encounter with Argentina, he scored one of the competition's finest-ever goals. In the wake of his sensational France 98 showing and his continued good form for Liverpool, top European clubs have been falling over themselves to procure his services. AC Milan and Real Madrid were rumoured to have offered world record sums of more than £50 million for the young prodigy, who recently took over the England captaincy from David Beckham marking the moment with a goal after just four minutes.
After claiming four titles in 2001 with his club, he was presented with the Ballon D'or, the prestigious title given by France Football magazine to Europe's best performer.
Owen's strengths are his outstanding close control, the timing of his runs, his deadly goal-scoring instinct but above all his blistering speed over the first few metres. As he showed in his famous goal against Argentina, he is able to embarrass the very best defenders who simply have no answer to his bursts. Add to that his self-assurance, maturity and his uncanny knack of scoring crucial goals and you have a player who strikes fear into opponents' hearts.
Michael to captain England again
5-Sep-2002. With David Beckham absent once again, Sven has appointed Michael as England captain for the friendly match against Portugal at Villa Park on Saturday.
Ever the diplomat, Michael was happy to give support to the controversial Leeds players Jonathon Woodgate and Lee Bowyer, who have been re-called into the England squad.
At the press conference he said:" I think everyone in the team is under scrutiny, especially playing for England, it is understandable.
"Jonathan has played before and played well. He's been away a long time.
Michael Owen's international carrer started in Febuary of 1998 when he received his first cap for england against chile. The moment that Michael really hit the headlines however was when he scored a scorcher against Argentina in the world cup of 1998 , this match was later overshadowed by a David Beckham sending off and england crashing out , along the years since then Owen has notched his cap total up to 33 and has scored 14 which is a very good goal ratio .
Owen's fitness hasn't been at best over the last few years , if it had been he probably would have been much more involved with international affairs but this does not stop him holding down a regular place on the England first team and one his finest moments came recently when he bagged a hat-trick against Germany , as early mentioned he now has a comfortable place in the england first team and providing his form and fitness holds out he will be a integral part of the setup for years to come.
In April 2002 due to a foot injury on David Beckham, Owen was given the chance to step up as captain of England which was a challenge he took on and some , he rewarded current England Coach Sven Goran Erikson with a early goal in a match that England went on to win 4-0 , although it was a freindly match it was a great chance and no doubt a great experience for Michael.
In the summer and domestic offseason of 2002 Owen was very much involved in the World Cup hosted in Japan and Korea , his trip out there was very successful and Owen backed England's Campaign with a impressive two goals a campaign which saw England reach the Quarter finals where England were narrowly beaten by Brazil who went on to win the compaetition. All and All another sign that Michael Owen is one of the best international strikers around at the current time.
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Owens First 100 Goals
1996/97
Goal 1, v Wimbledon, 6th May, 1997 . 1-2.
1997/98
Goal 2, v Wimbledon, 9th August 1997. 1-1, penalty.
Goal 3, v Blackburn Rovers, 23rd August 1997. 1-1.
Goal 4, v Celtic, 16th September, 1997. 2-2 (1 goal).
Goal 5, v Tottenham Hotspur, November 8th, 1997. 4-0 (1).
Goals 6, 7, 8, v Grimsby Town, 18th November, 1997. 3-0 (3).
Goal 9, v Crystal Palace, 13th December, 1997. 3-0 (1).
Goal 10, v Coventry City, 20th December, 1997, 1-0.
Goal 11, v Leeds United, 26th December, 1997. 3-1 (1).
Goal 12, v Newcastle United, 7th January, 1998. 2-0 (1).
Goal 13, v Newcastle United, 12th January, 1998. 1-0.
Goals 14 and 15 v Southampton, 7th February 1998. 2-3. (2).
Goals 16, 17, 18 v Sheffield Wednesday, 14th February 1998. 3-3 (3).
Goal 19, v Aston Villa, 28th February 1998, 1-2 (penalty).
Goal 20, v Bolton Wanderers, 7th March 1998, 2-1. (1).
Goal 21, v Manchester United, 10th April 1998, 1-1.
Goal 22, v Coventry City, 19th April 1998. 1-1.
Goal 23, v West Ham United, 2nd May 1998, 5-0 (1).
Goal 24, v Arsenal, 6th May 1998. 4-0 (1).
1998/99
Goal 25, v Southampton, 16th August 1998, 2-0 (1).
Goals 26, 27, 28 v Newcastle United, 30th August 1998, 4-1 (3).
Goal 29, v IFC Kosice, 15th September 1998, 3-0 (1).
Goals 30, 31, 32, 33 v Nottingham Forest, 24th October, 1998, 5-1 (4).
Goal 34, v Tottenham Hotspur, 10th November, 1998, 1-3.
Goal 35, v Celta Vigo, 24th November, 1998, 1-3.
Goal 36, v Blackburn Rovers, 29th November, 1998. 2-0 (1).
Goal 37, v Sheffield Wednesday, 19th December, 1998, 2-0 (1).
Goal 38, v Middlesbrough, 26th December, 1998, 3-1 (1).
Goals 39, 40 v Newcastle United, 28th December, 1998, 4-2 (2).
Goal 41 v Port Vale, 3rd January, 1999, 3-0 (1 penalty).
Goal 42 v Southampton, 16th January, 1999, 7-1 (1).
Goal 43 v Manchester United, 24th January, 1999, 1-2.
Goal 44 v Middlesbrough, 6th February, 1999, 3-1 (1).
Goal 45 v West Ham United, 20th February, 1999, 2-2 (1).
Goal 46 v Chelsea, 27th February, 1999, 1-2.
Goal 47 v Nottingham Forest, 5th April, 1999, 2-2 (1).
1999/2000
Goals 48 and 49 v Leicester City, 18th September, 1999, 2-2 (2, 1 pen).
Goal 50 v Southampton, 13th October 1999, 1-2.
Goal 51 v Sunderland, 20th November 1999, 2-0 (1).
Goal 52 v Coventry City, 18th December 1999, 2-0 (1).
Goals 53 and 54, v Newcastle United, 26th December 1999, 2-2 (2).
Goal 55 v Wimbledon, 28th December 1999, 3-1 (1).
Goal 56 v Derby County, 18th March 2000, 2-0 (1).
Goals 57 and 58 v Coventry City, 1st April 2000, 3-0 (2).
Goal 59 v Tottenham Hotspur, 9th April 2000, 2-0 (1).
2000/01
Goals 60 and 61 v Southampton, 26th August 2000, 3-3 (2).
Goals 62, 63 and 64 v Aston Villa, 6th September 2000, 3-1 (3).
Goal 65 v Manchester City, 9th September 2000, 3-2 (1).
Goal 66 v Sunderland, 23rd September 2000, 1-1.
Goal 67 v Slovan Liberec, 9th November 2000, 3-2 (1).
Goal 68 v Fulham, 13th December 2000, 3-1 (1).
Goal 69 v Arsenal, 23rd December 2000, 4-0 (1).
Goals 70 and 71 v Roma, 15th February 2001, 2-0 (2).
Goal 72 v Tranmere Rovers, 11th March 2001, 4-2 (1).
Goal 73 v Porto, 15th March 2001, 2-0 (1).
Goal 74 v Derby County, 18th March 2001, 1-1.
Goal 75 v Bradford City, 1st May 2001, 2-0 (1).
Goals 76, 77 and 78 v Newcastle United, 5th May 2001, 3-0 (3).
Goals 79 and 80 v Chelsea, 8th May 2001, 2-2 (2).
Goals 81 and 82 v Arsenal, FA Cup Final, May 12th 2001, 2-1 (2).
Goal 83 v Charlton Athletic, 19th May 2001, 4-0 (1).
2001/02
Goals 84, 85 and 86 v FC Haka, 8th August 2001, 5-0 (3).
Goal 87 v Manchester United, FA Charity Shield, 12th August 2001, 2-1 (1).
Goals 88 and 89 v West Ham United, 18th August 2001, 2-1 (2).
Goal 90 v Bayern Munich, Super Cup Final, 24th August 2001, 3-2 (1).
Goal 91 v Boavista, 11th September 2001, 1-1.
Goal 92 v Everton, 15th September 2001, 3-1, (1 penalty).
Goal 93 v Charlton Athletic, 27th October 2001, 2-0 (1).
Goals 94 and 95 v Manchester United, 4th November 2001, 3-1 (2).
Goal 96 v Blackburn Rovers, 17th November 2001, 1-1.
Goal 97 v Barcelona, 20th November 2001, 1-3.
Goal 98 v Derby County, 1st December 2001, 0-1.
Goal 99 v Middlesbrough, 8th December 2001, 2-0.
Goal 100 v West Ham, 29th December 2001
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