BRAZIL-CROATIA: Players' Quotes

13 June 2006

KAKA (BRA), Budweiser Man of the Match
I'm pleased, of course, but we've got more in our locker. For a first performance, it was good enough. The scoreline shows that it wasn't an easy game, but then there aren't any easy games at this tournament. Maybe it will keep our feet on the ground a little, and make us work even harder to improve. I was delighted to score a goal in my first World Cup match. It's an honour and a privilege just to be here.

CAFU (BRA)
It was a good game, and we got the three points, which was the main thing. We did what we had to do. Some people might be disappointed that we only won 1-0, but that's the way the game went. We had more time and space to play in the first half. After the break, they put us under pressure, and got tighter to us.

ZE ROBERTO (BRA)
Overall, I'm pleased with the result. I just tried to do what I could to help the team get the win. It was always going to be tricky, because everybody was so nervous with it being the first game. It's a vital win, and now we can start preparing for the next match.

EMERSON (BRA)
I think we played better in the first half. In the second half we lost our rhythm. The first game is always hard, and it was important to get the win.

JUAN (BRA)
It wasn't an easy game. We're very happy with the win, but we know that we can play much better. Everybody knew that today would be a real challenge for us. Now it's all about getting ready for Australia.

ROBINHO (BRA)
To start with a win is good. Everybody worked hard. I'm doing everything I can in training to be ready to play, but if I'm on the bench, I'll be behind Adriano and Ronaldo all the way.

JUNINHO PERNAMBUCANO(BRA)
It was a good result and it's always good to start with a win because it gives the team confidence. What we need to do now is train well and get ourselves ready for the Australia game, because it is going to be another tough match.

Niko KOVAC (CRO)
Nothing is lost yet. We have a realistic chance of winning against Japan and Australia. If you don't take the chances you get and you let the opposition take their one chance, you lose. We could be in a better position after this match, but we can still manage it because our team has a lot of quality. Our fans are unbelievable. We're in a strong group and it will go down to the last match.

Ivan KLASNIC (CRO)
We are disappointed, because we could have achieved a better result. Brazil were smart, they had one chance and they took it but that's football.

Niko KRANJCAR (CRO)
Unfortunately we were not attacking enough in the first half.

Robert KOVAC (CRO)
We played well. In the first half we had too much respect for Brazil but it's always like that we you play against the world champions. In the second half we went up the other end and had some chances. Against Japan we have to play from the first minute like we did in the second half of today's match.

Dado PRSO (CRO)
We tried everything but in the end we couldn't get a point.