Bento prefers to talk about team effort

18 June 2012 06:17

Portugal coach Paulo Bento refused to focus on Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning performance as Holland were swept aside 2-1.

A Euro 2012 quarter-final against the Czech Republic awaits in Warsaw on Thursday after Ronaldo scored in each half to send the Dutch home.

"The individual effort of players is not important," Bento said. "The issue of the effort players show for their clubs and country we have already talked about so much. We have discussed that enough. I'm proud of what we've done as a team and satisfied that we achieved our aim brilliantly."

He added: "We have a certain kind of style, identity and ideas. The players put that into practice.

"Today we can talk about brilliance, it was the best game we have played here. We have been loyal to our spirit and that's what we're proud of."

Portugal trailed to a fine 11th-minute strike from Rafael van de Vaart, but thereafter they dominated an attacking Dutch side that was over-run in midfield.

"We don't claim to be favourites against the Czech Republic and it won't be easy against them," said Bento. "They've shown they have the ability to turn a game and now we must continue our work and the quality we have shown so far. Maybe then we can even reach the semi-finals."

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk admitted his big names failed to deliver as the Dutch finished Group B without a single point.

"We played well to make it 1-0, but we made an individual error and Portugal got back into the game. That caused uncertainty in the team," said van Marwijk.

"The players who usually make a difference for us didn't reach that level. Things can change very fast - Ronaldo took a lot of criticism after the first two games here but tonight he was decisive."

Source: PA