Figo happy with win

Koen Freriks

12 juni 2006, 14:19

Portugal captain Luis Figo hit back at the critics who insisted a 1-0 win over World Cup debutants Angola represents a poor start to the Group D campaign.

An early goal from prolific Paris St Germain striker Pauleta turned out to be enough to take all three points from the first competitive meeting between Portugal and the African colony that gained independence in 1975.

Two previous friendly meetings had ended with thumping Portuguese victories but Figo was adamant no-one should have been banking on another goal-fest, especially as games in other groups had been tight.

He said: "Did you expect Portugal to win five or six nil? Where are the other teams that have won by such a margin? The results so far have been wins by one or two goals.

"I believe we were at the level expected of us. Many people were thinking Angola was an easy team but they were not - and you saw that."

Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolari made it clear he felt the same way, although he was careful not to put his words as forcefully as his captain.