Aragonés pipes confident tune

Optimistic
The Group 7 encounter between Serbia and Montenegro and Spain ended in a 0-0 draw which leaves the Balkan team two points clear of their Iberian rivals at the summit. Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic is optimistic of progress. "We played against a quality side and are still top of the group," he said. His Spanish counterpart, Luis Aragonés, was equally upbeat, saying: "We came here to win but I am not disappointed with a point. I believe Spain will come out on top in the end."

'The better team'
Group 4 is another where recent results have done little to clarify the situation at the top. The 1-1 draw between France and Israel sees them share the lead, a point clear of both Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland, and Israel coach Avraham Grant believed his side could have gone one better. "To feel disappointed after not beating the world's second-best team speaks volumes. I feel we were the better team though," he said.

'A good result'
France coach Raymond Domenech remained positive, saying: "Everything went well until Trezeguet's dismissal, but to collect a point with ten men is a good result for us."

Super-sub
Meanwhile, Hélder Postiga came off the bench to salvage a point for Portugal in their Group 3 tie in Slovakia, and the two remain locked at the top. "It will be difficult to separate the two in this group," said Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, while Slovakia's Dusan Galis was content, adding: "Three points is three points, but I'm satisfied."

'Far harder'
In Group 6, Austria coach Hans Krankl admitted his side's 1-0 victory over Wales with a late goal had not been easy. "It was far harder than we had expected," said the coach of the third-placed team. In the same section, leaders England had to battle to beat Azerbaijan 2-0. Visiting coach Carlos Alberto praised Sven-Göran Eriksson's men, stating: "If they continue to improve like this then England should be in the final in Germany. They have the best midfield in the world in my opinion."

Stoitchkov unhappy
The Group 8 action saw Hungary snatch a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria with a 90th-minute equaliser, leaving Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoitchkov to bemoan a missed opportunity: "We drew a game we should have won." Opposite number Lothar Matthaus stayed positive despite a disappointing performance. "My team will fight right until the end," he said.

Room for improvement
Group 1 leaders the Netherlands continued their unbeaten run with a 2-0 win against Armenia in Eindhoven, although coach Marco van Basten had mixed feelings. "I am happy with the points but we should have played better. I cannot blame my players as they have done their best, but we must improve as a team," he said.

Important win
Meanwhile, Greece carried on their revival in Group 2 with a 2-0 success against Albania. Coach Otto Rehhagel stressed that it was a vital victory, saying: "It was very important for us to win, because earlier in the evening Turkey and Ukraine had won their matches." His counterpart Hans-Peter Briegel was magnanimous in defeat. "I would like to congratulate the Greek team and wish good luck to Mr Rehhagel."