The England boss heaped praise on the Manchester United man, who was able to get the winner against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032 despite missing the two opening games.
Roy Hodgson, who took a major risk by playing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 last night, was in celebratory mood after his side sent shockwaves around the continent by topping Group D.
Needing only a draw to secure progression to the quarter-finals, the Three Lions held tight at the back and managed to get the better of their opponents, who themselves had several opportunities to win the game.
However the co-hosts weren’t able to get on the score sheet, leaving Rooney to make the headlines with his header three minutes after the break.
The mercurial forward latched onto a cross from captain http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Gerrard-c34196 after the ball eluded everyone including the Ukrainian defence. While there weren’t any changes in the score line after the opener, controversy again raised its head before the final
whistle.
A ghost goal scored by the Yellow-Blues was seemingly disallowed by the officials, although it had clearly crossed the line. While the incident is bound to dominate the match reports, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 coach Roy Hodgson reserved special praise for Rooney, who was
in top form last night.
"He's got character, hasn't he? Those who have followed England and Manchester United, even http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Everton-c39043, you know what Rooney is, what he can do and his qualities. He showed them in abundance tonight. He and (Danny) Welbeck worked extremely hard."
"It was his first game after having to sit these two others out, and it is a while since he played a competitive match, so he's got to be happy with the way things went for him.”
"Every day helps him and helps us. The fact he's had 80 minutes in this game will give him confidence going into the next game,” the tactician was quoted as saying.
England now face a decisive quarter-final against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fabio-c13152 Capello. But buoyed by the return of their inspirational front-man, they should approach the game with
confidence and look to seal a semi-final berth.
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