CAPE TOWN, June 30 – Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz admitted Tuesday that arch-rivals Spain were the better team and deserved to stay in the World Cup, but said his players did themselves proud.The European champions won a tight round of 16 contest 1-0, leaving Portugal facing another four years before getting another crack at winning the World Cup for the first time in their history.
"Spain won with merit," said Queiroz. "But I would also like to underscore the fact that Portugal played with a great degree of dignity and ambition and I believe the fans have justifiable reason to be proud of the way the team has played."
Portugal indeed played a clever game, defending well before launching counter-attacks. But ultimately the statistics speak for themselves, with Spain plundering 19 shots to Portugal’s nine.
Spain also had far more possession, something Queiroz admitted was the difference between the two sides.
"It was an extremely difficult game but Spain moved the ball very well and had more possession and any team that does that can control the game better," he said.
"We did have opportunities to score but unfortuantely we were not able to do so, hence allowing Spain to win 1-0.
"We could have scored at certain critical moments, but Spain’s victory is justified."
Portugal leave the tournament having conceeded just one goal, but it was costly one with David Villa doing the damage.
Queiroz said they would learn from the experience.
"We wanted to do well and when we compete at this level, if we manage to obtain second or third, it is not satisfactory," he said.
"We always have as our main goal to win. We also want to have an honourable performance to dignify Portuguese football.
"I wanted us to be able to leave the field with our heads held high, and I think we accomplished this."
Sheila A
October 26, 2011 at 7:15 am
Definitely can’t wait to attend this great nyama fest in the wild……… Looking forward to sampling some new kinds of any meat that can be Barbequed apart from the kawa mbuzi, ng’ombe and kuku………
Ralph Mshenga
October 26, 2011 at 7:25 am
If it ain’t barbecue it ain’t food
Amos Odero
October 26, 2011 at 7:43 am
Nyama nyama nyama? Nyama! Ya mbuzi? Nyama! Nikipata ticko ya kwenda BBQ fest na
@Capitalfm_kenya? Nyama!
Mato
October 26, 2011 at 8:19 am
They better have enough nyama coz I am coming…. nyama ni mimi na mimi ni nyama
Shera gitau
October 26, 2011 at 8:25 am
*in maqbul’s voice*nyama nyama nyama….nyama ya ngombe, nyama ya mbuzi, nyama ya kuku, nyama ya sungura, nyama ya nyoka(si nyama), nyama ya punda (si nyama), nyama ya Kifaru (si nyama)…imagine i know all this and even more about meat! so i would love to join you guys in conserving the rhinos and i believe the site for the fest is just on point as it is where all those ivories were torched in the fight against poaching.
Foodie
October 26, 2011 at 8:41 am
A foodie’s heaven!
Sandie Ogonji
October 26, 2011 at 8:42 am
I am not a fan of red meat, for all the obvious health reasons, BUT, this is the one time I get to eat all the NYAMA NYA NYAMA of all the animals I have fancied. So if you can’t have it at the BBQ fest then you can’t have it at all……………………………. “ni njega” (Y’all the the presenter who likes saying this)
Juliette Fridah
October 26, 2011 at 8:45 am
It’s about that time I introduce my Vegetarian boy friend what he is missing out on and this BBQ fest is the best way to get him to enjoy tasty meat…..
Shera gitau
October 26, 2011 at 8:53 am
What do you mean vegetarians….. in Kenya THERE IS NO SUCH WORD!!!! i want to eat eat and eat meat….nyama,nyama,nyama..(i could have translated to another language but the only language i know is KEANYAN)
Capitalifestyle
October 26, 2011 at 10:19 am
What’s your twitter handle?
Fred Mwo
October 26, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Looking forward….. Yummy!!!!
Shera gitau
October 26, 2011 at 12:14 pm
hey, my twitter handle is @redpeppery :)…..NYAMA!