14 June 2007, by Marco Pereira

Portugal 1-2 Holland - Match Reaction

Manuel da Costa, Portugal central defender

“If Holland-Belgium ends up a 0-0 draw, it will be the entire Portuguese team’s fault, not Holland’s or Belgium’s because if we had won our game, we would have only depended on ourselves. Today we only started to play after we were losing 2-0.”

Miguel Veloso, Portugal midfielder

“What went wrong? Holland managed to score more often. We committed errors and must think about our next game, which we have to win. It does not just depend on us, but we will give our best and will certainly win the last game.”

(On the goal) “It could have been an important goal which would have allowed us to build momentum, but that did not happen.”

Joao Moutinho, Portugal midfielder

“We played very well. We showed that we have a team that can continue in the Euro championship, but unfortunately things are not going our way. The team is to be congratulated because they did everything to get a draw. We believe we still have a chance.”

“Holland had more luck throughout the game. We dominated the match, but we did not finish the opportunities we created. We will continue to fight until the last minute and will continue to believe to the very end.”

Jose Couceiro, Portugal coach

“Our situation has become more complicated. I hope Holland and Belgium don’t play for a 0-0 draw. We have to win against Israel. We were controlling the game and I admit that it was a penalty against Paulo Ribeiro, but there was also one against Joao Moutinho. The criteria were different.”

“We felt what Holland is capable of doing. We played to win, but we committed one error; we controlled the game and the ball possession, but we did not reach the target.”

“I have spent 30 years in football and this is the first time I was sent off. All because I said there was a foul. The full-back, who was already on a yellow, grabbed Varela. The fourth official throughout the entire game kept putting pressure on me.”

Portugal 1-2 Holland - Match Report