Cardozo proud of Donetsk haul

Óscar Cardozo felt SL Benfica "put in a great performance" as he scored twice to earn a 2-1 win at FC Shakhtar Donetsk and a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 32.

Personal triumph
The Paraguayan international found the target in the sixth and 22nd minutes as the Portuguese side leapfrogged their hosts into third place in Group D. "It all went well for me tonight," he said afterwards. "We came here to grab three points and had to play like we did. It was very difficult but we put in a great performance. It is a very important result as it puts us into the UEFA Cup."

First header
The 24-year-old Cardozo joined the Eagles from Argentinian side CA Newell's Old Boys in the summer, having scored 21 goals in 33 league games for them in the 2006/07 season. He has scored four in eleven league appearances for Benfica and three more in the UEFA Champions League, and added: "I scored my first header tonight and I will keep working to score more goals and set up my team-mates."

Defensive rigour
Shakhtar struck back with a 30th-minute penalty and pressed relentlessly for an equaliser, but were frustrated by a Benfica defence marshaled by central defender Luisão. The 26-year-old said: "The club's secondary goal has been accomplished. The first was to progress in the UEFA Champions League but we are happy to be in the UEFA Cup. We are strong and can compete for the trophy."

'Great attitude'
Midfielder Petit was delighted with the attitude his side showed in cold weather in Donetsk, saying: "The team had a strong attitude as we play as a solid unit." He added: "Now we will do our best in the UEFA Cup but we will face great teams. We want to play well and, who knows, to reach the final. It will be very hard to lose playing like we did tonight, with such a great attitude."