It’s harsh to criticise Rooney: Hodgson

England boss defends striker after 2-1 loss to Italy.

MANAUS: England manager Roy Hodgson defended Wayne Rooney after the Manchester United striker was unable to prevent his team from losing 2-1 to Italy in their opening World Cup match.

Rooney began Sunday’s game in Manaus on the left flank to accommodate Raheem Sterling, and although he teed up Daniel Sturridge for England’s equaliser, he occasionally left left-back Leighton Baines exposed.

The 28-year-old also endured a frustrating night in front of the goal, notably lashing one chance wide as England chased the game in the second half. Hodgson however said that he had performed admirably.

“We wanted to get Raheem Sterling around [Andrea] Pirlo because of his agility and that meant moving Wayne Rooney, and I thought he did well,” said Hodgson, after the Group D encounter at a humid Amazonia Arena.

“There’s always going to be one player with a big debate around him, but I think it’s harsh to criticise Rooney, because for me he played well.”

Sturridge’s goal, in the 37th minute, gave England parity after Claudio Marchisio had fired Italy in front two minutes earlier. But Mario Balotelli’s header early in the second period proved decisive.

Sterling played a key role in the equaliser, freeing Rooney with an incisive pass to the left flank, and was a constant source of invention in the number 10 role.

The 19-year-old Liverpool forward’s willingness to run at defenders sowed disarray in the Italian back-line at regular intervals, but Hodgson was reluctant to single him out for praise.

“We thought all the young players did well,” he said.

“None of those players let me down. They all did what we were hoping they’d do, except of course score that equalising goal.”

For us Suarez is a fundamental player: Tabarez

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said his team desperately needs star striker Luis Suarez back on the field after being stunned by Costa Rica on Saturday.

The South American champions slumped to a 3-1 defeat that could kill their hopes of getting through the tough World Cup Group D.

The 27-year-old Liverpool forward was kitted up on the bench on Saturday, even warming up at one stage but Tabarez deemed he was not fit enough to throw into the fray.

“Suarez is not injured anymore, otherwise he wouldn’t have been on the substitutes’ bench,” said Tabarez.

“We’ll see when we can take him into consideration, for us Suarez is a fundamental player.

“He has the potential to bring a lot to the team he plays for.

“There are four days before the game with England; we’ll see whether or not he can play.”

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Tabarez, who insisted his team could bounce back against England and rescue their World Cup hopes.

“The odds have shortened and against England we have to get back on track against a great team that will be very difficult,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2014.

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