Portugal Coach Paulo Bento has promised his team will fight on following their crushing defeat to Germany.
Portugal Coach Paulo Bento has promised his team will fight on following their crushing defeat to Germany.
On a demoralising afternoon for the former Sporting boss, he saw his team ship four goals, have defender Pepe sent off and both Hugo Almeida and Fabio Coentrao substituted with serious looking injuries.
Speaking to media after the World Cup Group G loss, the 44-year-old felt his side were in the game for long periods of the first half but that changed with the red card shown to the Real Madrid man.
“The analysis of the match stopped in the first half,” Bento said. “Regarding the second half, there is little to add. We had to manage a numerical disadvantage and heavy deficit as well as we could.
“In terms of chances there was not a great difference in the first half, which was keenly fought. Germany had a little more possession. Even at 2-0, we had a chance to make it 2-1.
“We will assess the injuries to Hugo Almeida and Fabio Coentrao to see if they can continue to play. We will fight on with whoever we have.”