Owen in ‘B’ squad

LONDON: Michael Owen has been selected in the 20-member England B squad named by coach Steve McClaren to play Albania at Burnley on May 25, an important step towards reviving his international career. The Newcastle United striker was seriously injured in the World Cup in Germany last summer. Manchester United forward Alan Smith and Tottenham Hotspur skipper Ledley King also return to international duty for the first time since recovering from their injuries, which sidelined them for much of the season. — Xinhua

PSV say no to Kluivert

AMSTERDAM: Dutch international Patrick Kluivert has been told his contract with PSV Eindhoven will not be renewed. The club won their 20th Dutch league title a week and a half ago. Thirty-year old Kluivert, who has 40 goals in 79 internationals with the Oranje, played at Ajax, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Newcastle United and Valencia, before joining PSV last August on a one-year contract. Kluivert revealed last month that he wanted to play for two more years. PSV also told defender Michael Reiziger to find another club. — AP

Gino Pariani dies

ST LOUIS: Gino Pariani, the inside right midfielder on the 1950 US team that beat England in one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, has died. He was 79. He died on Wednesday night after having bone cancer for two years, his family said. Pariani had one goal in five games with the national team, scoring against Spain in the Americans’ 3-1 loss in their World Cup opener. The story of the 1950 squad was told in the 2005 film, “The Game of Their Lives.” — AP