England Beats Ukraine, 1-0 in Euro2012
Wayne Rooney comeback for England was a boon because of his header during 48 minutes of the game help England to win this game but the co-hosts Ukraine gave a tough time to the opposition before going down.
As expected the Wayne Rooney Factor will surely help team England and it did as his goal help his team to cruise into the quarter-final. England will be facing Italy on Sunday in Euro2012.
Rooney was returning to England team and playing his first match in Euro 2012 championship after subsequent to suspension for 2 games was obvious, but Andriy Shevchenko was not playing this match because of a knee injury. While the Ukraine showed that they could manage without their missing superstar in a competitive first half, England were left obliged to Rooney for taking them forward with a header in 48 minutes. Shevchenko came for a rescue with 20 minutes to go but it was too late as Roy Hodgson‘s side resisted to lead the points tally on top of Group D in Euro2012.
Ukraine knew that Losing or even a draw in this match will definitely end their campaign of Euro2012 championship. Leaving winning an only option Ukraine was not in rhythm in the early stages as Denys Garmash kicked a ball hardly over from a distance & John Terry did well to avoid Andriy Yarmolenko leap prior to both Marko Dević & Yevhen Konoplyanka had efforts blocked.
England were under pressure, though they at last began to wake up after Ukraine went so close to score a goal, right-back Oleh Gusev with a violent effort over the crossbar. Habitually, Rooney was caught up in the reaction, throwing himself at a Steven Gerrard free-kick but ending short & then heading Ashley Young‘s brilliant left-wing cross off aim from a good place just in front of goal. Ukraine were selected visitors for this match – they did not portent the end of Ukraine as an aggressive power. Joe Hart had to push low to his right to disallow Yarmolenko after the No.11 had been fed by Artem Milevskiy.
England was possibly not level at the half time, but remaining deep & appearing stagnant, they required the opportunity for a reorganizing themselves. Oleh Blokhin‘s men must have been thinking how to make their pressure count, but in the meantime just 3 minutes into the 2nd half they were trailing. For the 3rd time this championship, Gerrard deliver the ball & his cross kick from the right side deflecting, turning through Andriy Pyatov‘s hands & permitting Rooney for a header that too very close from the goal post.
It was a great game between 2 tough competitors. Thanks to Rooney England won but Ukraine might have lost but gave a tough time to their opposition. England Qualify for the quarterfinal and will be competing against Italy on 24 June 2012 Sunday in Euro2012
