Football feast claims Queiroz but fans jeer Portugal and Brazil

Two sides normally associated with breathtaking, end-to-end football disappointed as the South Americans clinched first place in the group and Portugal claimed the point they needed to advance to the last 16. But Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz insisted the contest contained plenty of excitement.

"I think it was a great show, a football feast," he said. "Brazil played very strong in the first few minutes but after their initial period of domination, Portugal slowly started to control the game. In the end, it was a game where we attacked and they defended.

"Today is a day to celebrate because Portugal has qualified with a great degree of merit.

"It was a great game of football, the players played extremely well and they must be congratulated. I think the draw was a fair result."

Queiroz, whose side finished one point clear of the Ivory Coast, 3-0 victors over North Korea yesterday, insisted Portugal could take positives from the performance.

"We did not concede a goal and from our last 26 games, we have now kept a clean sheet in 22," he said.

"When you play against a Brazil side that has beautiful and great players, you have to give everything. When it was necessary to defend, we defended and when we needed to attack we attacked."

Brazil coach Dunga conceded the South Americans had not produced their best form.

"No, we are not happy," he said. "Brazil always plays to win and we tried to attack until the end.

"Portugal didn't want to attack, they wanted to defend. My team is always ready to go forward and that was the case today."

Yaya Toure, Romaric and Salomon Kalou were on target as Ivory Coast's World Cup campaign ended with a hollow victory over North Korea.

Sven Goran Eriksson's side struck twice inside 20 minutes as they tore into their limited opponents from the outset, but only frustration followed.

The Africans had 14 shots, 10 on target, as they dominated the first half and sensed an unlikely chance to reach the last 16.

But North Korea, fearing more humiliation after their 7-0 hammering by Portugal, closed ranks after the break and only substitute Kalou could break through.

Ivory Coast had arrived at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit knowing they needed to win, needed Brazil to beat Portugal, and had to see a nine-goal swing in the process.

Former England coach Eriksson said: "It is a pity we have to leave because this team is getting better with every training session. But that is life, we are out and we have to accept that.

"If you look at the three games we have played they should be very proud of themselves and the country should be proud of them."