Debate rages around striker after anothermediocre Cup showing

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 its opening World Cup match.

Rooney began Saturday's game in Manaus on the left flank to accommodate Raheem Sterling, and although he teed up Daniel Sturridge for England's equalizer, he occasionally left leftback Leighton Baines exposed.

The 28-year-old also endured a frustrating night on the attack, notably lashing a shot wide as England chased the game in the second half. But Hodgson said Rooney per-formed admirably.

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

"He set up the goal for us and worked hard, and did well when we moved him into the center.

"There's always going to be one player with a big debate around him, but I think it's harsh for people to criticize his performance, 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 equalizer, freeing Rooney with an incisive pass to the left flank.

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

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

"Sturridge had an exceptional time until he got a dead leg that forced him off; we thought Sterling was as bright as we'd hoped;(Ross) Barkley, when he came on, did some good things; Jack Wilshere showed all the right intentions; and we know what Danny Welbeck gives us.

"None of those players let me down. They all did what we were hoping they'd do, except of course score that equalizing goal."

England now finds itself playing catch-up ahead of its second game on Thursday against Uruguay, which was stunned 3-1 by Costa Rica in its own opening match.

While Saturday's result means England no longer has any margin for error in its remaining two games, Hodgson was eager to underline it remains in control of its own destiny.

"If you lose the first game, you know you have probably got to win the next two, but the teams you're playing have to win, too," he said.

"You can't drift to qualification. Italy has had the very best start, as has Costa Rica, and we and Uruguay are on the back foot, but we now play Uruguay and Costa Rica, so at least our fate is in our hands.

"It's up to us to produce the right type of performance that will give us victory."

Defeat for England was compounded by an unfortunate injury sustained by its physiotherapist, Gary Lewin, who dislocated his ankle as he celebrated Sturridge's goal and had to be taken to hospital.

Still optimistic

Rarely has a loss provided so much optimism for England.

This England team was everything the 2012 version was not in the quarterfinal loss to Italy at the European Championship.

"We got criticized two years ago for sitting back and being a bit toothless really, but I think anybody who watched that game could see that we were trying to create," captain Steven Gerrard said. "We pushed and pushed and gave it everything we've got and we were unlucky not to get any-thing out of it.

"Maybe we have to look at trying to finish a few more chances off, but we can't point any fingers because everyone has given everything. The effort, desire and commitment was there and we were unlucky not to get anything out of it.

" No matter what the result was tonight, I think we still would have had to go and beat Uruguay. The challenge is more difficult, but it's certainly doable."

Even Italy coach Cesare Prandelli backs England's chances to progress in Brazil.

"England is one of the strongest teams at the World Cup," Prandelli said through a translator. "We don't have players who are as explosive and powerful as England."

England forward Daniel Sturridge celebrates after scoring during his team's Group D match against Italy at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus on Saturday. England lost 2-1. Giuseppe Cacace / Agence France-presse

(China Daily 06/16/2014 page24)