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 \u2013 a European Challenge Tour debut at this week\u2019s Kharkov Superior Cup.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The former AC Milan and Chelsea striker, who won the Ballon d\u2019Or in 2004 as the European Player of the Year, was feeling confident ahead of Ukraine\u2019s crucial match against Roy Hodgson\u2019s side, especially after his former team-mates recorded a comprehensive 9-0 victory over San Marino on Friday evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am going to Kiev this evening before coming back to Kharkov after the match tonight,\u201d said Shevchenko, who plays off a handicap of two. \u201cOf 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing from the massive victory last week and the many wins we have had recently, it\u2019s a big chance for us and I think we have a little bit more chance this time around than England do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people in Ukraine will be so happy if they beat England tonight because they love football, it\u2019s a very special game for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shevchenko has played in numerous Pro-Am events, including alongside Rory McIlroy at this year\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first big event for me and of course it is the first major professional tournament here in Ukraine so it\u2019s a huge event for golf in this country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know this course for many years, since it first opened, and I love it here. It\u2019s nice that the Challenge Tour have decided to come here to this course. It\u2019s great for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have played with many good players in Pro-Ams but it\u2019s very different out here. I’m looking forward to it and hope I play well but it\u2019s my first event so I just want to have a good time and enjoy the week.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Photo: \u00a9Getty Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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