7 October 2006, by Marco Pereira

Portugal 3-0 Azerbaijan – Match Reaction

Luiz Filipe Scolari:

“We gave a reasonably good performance. The result is normal because Azerbaijan is a team that work reasonably well with the ball and made things difficult for us up until the first goal. After the first goal, we were more relaxed.”

“In the second half, after the third goal, we conceded a lot of space with one holding midfielder and two other midfielders playing openly. Azerbaijan managed to put some moves together thanks to our bad positioning.”

“We have to shoot more from distance and have more consistency in the midfield. The team was good, but not marvellous.”

Cristiano Ronaldo:

“From the beginning we knew it was going to be complicated because they were going to play way back in defence. As a result, I knew that I had to open up the flanks well and attempt to disrupt them. This was what I attempted to do.”

(On being one of Portugal’s highest goalscorers at just 21) “I am extremely happy about this, but what is important is to continue our good qualifying campaign. We have a difficult game in Poland, and the team is very confident. Personally, I feel I am evolving, the start of the season is going well and I am feeling good physically.”

Ricardo Rocha:

“I was highly motivated with the possibility of starting, but what is important is that the team wins. Now we have to be well rested because the game in Poland will be more difficult. Scolari would like one point, but we will do everything possible to return from Poland with a victory.”

“They have to risk a bit more because they have already lost two important games and have not made it easy for themselves. It will be a good game and, theoretically, I should expect more work. I would like to continue to be a part of this group and receive more caps from the coach.”

Deco:

“Without a doubt, this was an important triumph because we know that if we want to qualify, we have to win our home games and tonight was a game we had to win. Our biggest objective is qualification.”

“We all want to be in the next Euro, and we have to be realistic and sincere. We want to win in Poland and we have the ability to do so, but if we analyse it well, we could draw, which would leave us in a situation where we have to win each home game in order to qualify. Of course a victory would be better for us, should we slip in the future.”


Portugal 3-0 Azerbaijan - Match Report