Andriy Shevchenko is backing his national team to produce a result against England tonight as the Ukrainian football legend prepares for a challenge of his own – a European Challenge Tour debut at this week’s Kharkov Superior Cup.
Fresh from almost holing out for birdie with a sublime chip on the final hole of his practice round at Superior Golf and Spa Resort in Kharkov today (Tuesday), Shevchenko was whisked off to Kiev to witness the crunch World Cup Qualification tie between Ukraine and England at the Olympic Stadium tonight.
The former AC Milan and Chelsea striker, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2004 as the European Player of the Year, was feeling confident ahead of Ukraine’s crucial match against Roy Hodgson’s side, especially after his former team-mates recorded a comprehensive 9-0 victory over San Marino on Friday evening.
“I am going to Kiev this evening before coming back to Kharkov after the match tonight,” said Shevchenko, who plays off a handicap of two. “Of course I fancy Ukraine to win but I think it will be a very close game because both teams need to win, although we have the advantage of playing at home.
“Coming from the massive victory last week and the many wins we have had recently, it’s a big chance for us and I think we have a little bit more chance this time around than England do.
“I have played with all of these guys and it is a very good young generation. When I started we had a good young generation and now it’s probably one of the best teams we have had. Players like Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, the captain, are really impressive and we have a good strong team.
“The people in Ukraine will be so happy if they beat England tonight because they love football, it’s a very special game for them.”
Shevchenko has played in numerous Pro-Am events, including alongside Rory McIlroy at this year’s Irish Open, since his career-change to the game of golf but knows that he faces a massive task at the Kharkov Superior Cup as he battles it out with some of the world’s top up and coming players, as well as some experienced old heads such as former Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson and three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty.
“This is the first big event for me and of course it is the first major professional tournament here in Ukraine so it’s a huge event for golf in this country,” he said.
“The course is quite difficult. I’m happy with my game at the moment and I’m really happy to be here. I know the President of the club, he is my good friend and his daughter has been caddying for me. He invited me to come and I just had to.
“I know this course for many years, since it first opened, and I love it here. It’s nice that the Challenge Tour have decided to come here to this course. It’s great for us.
“I have played with many good players in Pro-Ams but it’s very different out here. I’m looking forward to it and hope I play well but it’s my first event so I just want to have a good time and enjoy the week.”
Another sporting legend, former tennis World Number One Yevgeny Kafelnikov, also takes part this week at a club where he is a member, as he continues the battle to make his first cut on the Challenge Tour.
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