Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin has blamed a lack of luck for his side’s failure to take anything from their final Group D game against England last night.

 

The co-hosts went behind to a Wayne Rooney goal after 48 minutes, but battled back and seemed to have scored when Marko Devic directed a shot goalwards.

 

The ball was athletically hacked away from the goal-line by England defender John Terry, though replays clearly showed that it had crossed the line and a goal should have been awarded to Ukraine; both UEFA’s goal-line officials were unmoved however.

 

And having lost, Ukraine went out – the co-hosts had needed to win to make the quarter-finals.

 

“I want to thank my team as we played a very good game”, said Blokhin after the match.

 

“Even the coach of England said they were luckier than us. I want to thank the whole of Ukraine and all our supporters. We could do not what was expected, but I do not feel ashamed of this team.

 

“First we conceded a lucky goal, and then we played a very good game. England only went forward from counter attacks.

 

“In the second half they had no chances. We had a big advantage. England had just a few set-pieces. We had lots of shots on target, but we were not lucky.

 

“Maybe I am not lucky for our team.”

 

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