Rooney to start for England’s final group match
June 19th, 2012 - 3:53 pm ICT by IANSDonetsk (Ukraine), June 19 (IANS) England manager Roy Hodgson confirmed at a pre-match press conference that striker Wayne Rooney will start at the final Euro 2012 group match against Ukraine.
The Manchester United striker, who just came out of a two-match suspension, had missed the first two Group D matches ahead of Tuesday’s last one due to a red card in the qualifier against Macedonia, reported Xinhua.
“I have made it clear that Wayne Rooney will start. That decision has been made,” Hodgson said.
“He has been training and he is fully fit. He is as sharp as he was when he played his last game for Manchester United,” he added.
Hodgson will now have to drop either Danny Welbeck or Andy Carroll. Both the strikers scored in England’s 3-2 win over Sweden Friday.
“It is a difficult choice as both have done so well. They have given me the classical manager’s headache, but it a headache we all want,” Hodgson said.
England, having tied with France 1-1 and beaten Sweden 3-2, need a draw to qualify for the last eight, while France also need just one point to advance in the other Group D match against the already-eliminated Swedes.
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- England announce 23-man squad for Euro Championship - May 16, 2012
- Welbeck on wonder goal: I knew it was coming - Jun 16, 2012
- Euro 2012: England win over Ukraine - Jun 20, 2012
- Set pieces crucial to beating England: Shevchenko - Jun 16, 2012
- Euro 2012: Welbeck flick gives England 3-2 win over Sweden - Jun 16, 2012
- Euro 2012: Welbeck flick gives England 3-2 win over Sweden (Lead) - Jun 16, 2012
- Carroll hails 'great' England - Jun 16, 2012
- Euro 2012 Group D Preview: Injury-hit England leave race wide open - Jun 05, 2012
- Walcott to miss England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine - Sep 10, 2012
- Euro 2012: Hodgson praises 'clever' Welbeck winner - Jun 16, 2012
- Rooney 'delighted' to score winner against Ukraine - Jun 20, 2012
- Time running out for England's Golden Generation: Hodgson - Jun 16, 2012
- Rooney kept out of England squad for Spain, Sweden friendlies - Nov 07, 2011
Tags: england manager, euro 2012, final group, france 1, headache, last game, manchester united, match, roy hodgson, striker, strikers, sweden, swedes, ukraine, wayne rooney, welbeck, xinhua