Russia and Portugal reflect on draw

Eder Lima, Russia forward
We knew that Portugal were a great team that played good futsal. We struggled to find our game in the first half. The only chances that came were after defensive mistakes. But now we can already think about the quarter-finals. It turned out to be a good match. Now we will assess how we played defensively, because there's no room for mistakes against a team as strong as Portugal. Four goals conceded is too many.

While the first game [beating the Netherlands 7-1] was difficult, the second one was no easier at all. We had to win this one, but a draw is OK too; there is nothing we can do about it. I was very pleased to have scored such a goal (his acrobatic second to make it 4-4), though it would have been even better if it was a winner. Cirilo was ill. He will be fit for the quarter-final [against Romania on Monday], but let him rest for now.

Sergei Sergeev, Russia defender
Well, since I was the one who lost the ball [for the first Portugal goal], it makes me the one to blame and I accept it. I lingered a bit, and it turned out that they kicked the ball away from me and we conceded a goal. But only someone who does nothing makes no mistakes. And we all work for each other and try to make up for the mistakes that other players make.

Sergei Skorovich, Russia coach
You should not congratulate us because that is usually done when a team wins. Today we have a draw where we probably made too many mistakes and defended very poorly. Of course, we scored some beautiful goals and had more chances to convert, but generally we had too many flaws tonight.

Both Portugal and ourselves realised that it was a match for the first place in our group. I do not assess our displays in percentages. We wanted to play at 100%, but it's all about whether the other team allows you to do that or not, whether you manage to do everything you planned or not. So many factors affect the game. We tried hard; we wanted to win convincingly, but it was destined to be a draw.

Jorge Braz, Portugal coach
We wanted to win the group and we did everything in our power to achieve that, but despite the fact we were not successful I think we had some pretty amazing moments, moments of excellence. We made some strategic mistakes, but I'm to blame for that.

The key thing about this match was the fantastic spirit of this team and the solidarity between all players. It seems to me that we had more opportunities to score but we missed here and there. In all, I'm satisfied with my team's display. From now on, we are in a new round [facing Ukraine in the last eight on Monday] and that's what we are focused on.

Against a team like Russia, it's normal that they also have their own opportunities and that the game is very tight. There is a huge ambition in every single player on my team.

Cristiano, Portugal goalkeeper
I'm very happy because this was my first match at a Futsal EURO finals. I think it went well. Of course we wanted to win but we played against a great team and I think the result ends up being fair if we take into account what each team did on the pitch.

I think we are at the same level when compared with the best teams and tonight we showed we have what it takes in order to beat any opponent. Our coach has confidence in every single player on the team and the best proof of that is the fact that all three goalkeepers have already played a part in the competition.

Arnaldo Pereira, Portugal captain
I believe it was a great display from both teams. It was an excellent match to watch for the fans at the Arena and for those watching it on TV. Our team deserves all the praise because our main objective was to qualify for the next stage and we did just that. We wanted to leave here with a win, if nothing else because we always want to win, but then again we have to accept the outcome of the game because we made some mistakes.