Shevchenko announces international retirement

Kiev: Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko has announced his retirement from international football, except for one "goodbye game".

Standings» I Fixtures & Results» I Pic Gallery» I Top 5 Goal Scorers» The 35-year-old has decided that now is the right time following his country`s early exit from Euro 2012. After being asked whether the defeat by England was his last international game, he told ITV: "Probably. I will play one more game just as a friendly – a goodbye game." Shevchenko was disappointed that his co-hosts could not progress any further than the group stages, but he understood how difficult it was to qualify for the quarter-finals after being drawn in a group with three of the top 20 teams in the world. "Of course we are sad because we [host] the competition and after the first game we were magnificent, very good and we won against Sweden," he added. "And when in a group where you have England, France and Sweden it`s a tough group. We tried coming out of a tough group and I think we played well." The striker was disheartened that Marko Devic`s shot was not given as a goal, despite the ball crossing the line before John Terry could clear it, and stated that he was not sure if the best team won on the night. "It`s difficult to say. We created so many chances and I think we scored a goal. It was a goal. The same thing happened to England in the World Cup [2010] and I think the goal would have changed the game. "We controlled the game and we controlled the possession. England won. Congratulations, England are a strong team." Shevchenko did not rule out Roy Hodgson`s men for the tournament, highlighting the fact France were beaten by Sweden, a team who were already knocked out of Euro 2012. "England play against Italy and it will be a difficult game. England are a strong team and you never know what will happen. England can reach the final. France lost [Tuesday]. Anything can happen." Goal.com