Ukraine-England Preview

By TOM BENNETT

(AP) -- LONDON (SE) - For Wayne Rooney, Tuesday night's match is a long-awaited opportunity to make a first impression for a surprising England squad.

For Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko, it may mark the end of an era that could also crush the dreams of a co-host nation.

The talismanic forwards will be the focal points in Donetsk, where a quarterfinal berth is at stake during the final matchday in Group D.

Rooney was relegated to being a spectator for England's first two matches as he served a red card suspension for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic in the final Euro qualifier, but the Three Lions have bucked the belief they would struggle offensively and defeated Sweden 3-2 on Friday. Substitute Theo Wolcott scored in the 64th minute and assisted on Danny Welbeck's match-winner in the 78th as England enters this match with four points, tying them for the group lead with France.

However, Rooney - a 35-goal scorer for Manchester United this season - has been a missing man at international tournaments since netting four goals as an 18-year-old at the Euro 2004, failing to score in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

"I don't put that pressure on myself," Rooney said Sunday. "There are 23 players in the squad and there's pressure on us all ... I'm not going to win the Euros on my own. There are 23 players who are going to contribute to try to help us win the tournament or go as far as we can."

While Rooney insists he is merely one of 23 players, manager Roy Hodgson is thrilled he will finally have his side's best player on the pitch and not in the stands.

"I am delighted to be going into the last game knowing a positive result will see us through and if we do that I will be more than satisfied because it was a very difficult group," he said. "There are no easy pickings for us in the group and our goal is to make sure we don't slip from the standard we have set in the four games since I took the job. Maybe (Wayne) Rooney's presence will take the pressure off the existing players because he can change a game off his own bat."

Shevchenko - Ukraine's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals - rose an entire nation with his brace in Ukraine's group-opening 2-1 victory over Sweden, but an opportunity to clinch a spot in the round of eight went by the wayside with a 2-0 defeat to France on Friday as they conceded both goals in a four-minute span of the second half.

Shevchenko, who will retire from international play following this tournament, is an injury doubt for this match due to a left knee injury suffered in Friday's defeat ahead of this must-win situation.

"He is a bit injured," Ukraine teammate Anatoliy Tymoshchuk said. "I don't think it is that bad. He is a very important player for us so let's hope he can play. He's our top scorer so it would be a shame if he can't play."

While coach Oleh Blokhin upbraided his team for its overconfidence heading into Friday's match, Tymoshchuk still likes his side's chances against England.

"We need to go forward and play the next game well. (Against England) I think it's possible to get a 1-0 win. We need to play more compactly, perhaps control the ball more in defence, control all areas of the pitch and go forward on counterattacks. It's going to be a good game. England are a top team. I think it will be easier than playing against France.

"We have nothing to lose. I think in the next match we need to concentrate on getting out of our half of the pitch, creating chances and getting results. What more can I say?"

England have met Ukraine just twice in competitive internationals and lost on their only visit to the country back in 2009.

England's Ashley Young, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are all a yellow card away from missing the quarter-finals should England progress. Ukraine have Tymoshchuk and Yevhen Selin on bookings.

Ukraine will go through only with a win, while England will progress with a win or draw. Should England lose, they will need France to lose heavily to ensure that the two teams are at least level on goal difference and goals scored - in which case England will progress courtesy of a superior coefficient.

The other Group D match between France and Sweden kicks off simultaneously in Kiev.

Updated June 17, 2012