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Sports moments of the week: Nov 10-16

Updated: 2014-11-17 09:17
(chinadaily.com.cn)

Rooney's 100th appearance for England

Despite a stunning career with Manchester United, England forward Wayne Rooney has had a hard time pleasing fans when representing the Three Lions.

But it doesn't mean that fans are not grateful for his endeavors. Instead of booing him, as they usually do, more than 80,000 spectators gave him a thunderous standing ovation when he was presented with a golden cap to mark his 100th England appearance at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Sports moments of the week: Nov 10-16

The England skipper proved that he deserved the honor with a spot-kick equalizer at 59th minute which inspired his slack home team to a 3-1 win over Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

Dany Welbeck scored twice to secure the victory which continued England's smooth qualifying campaign as they lead the Group E standings with 12 points from their opening four matches.

Rooney represented England for the first time at a friendly against Australia on Feb 12, 2003. Over the past 11 years, he has scored 44 goals for England, becoming the third highest scorer. He is now chasing after Bobby Chalton's all-time record of 49 goals.

Rooney got his only World Cup goal this summer in Brazil during a group match against Uruguay. Unfortunately, the goal didn't help England advance out of the group stage.

When it comes to Manchester United, it's another story. Legendary manager Alex Furgeson, who retired in 2013, brought Rooney to Old Trafford and trained him into a world-class forward. He has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy along with the club.

Now Rooney has found himself in a transitional phase with England, as former heavyweights Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have retired from the national team after the World Cup in Brazil. Time is short for him to make history and rectify his name. Euro 2016 is probably the last major tournament he'll participate in.

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