SWEDEN-PARAGUAY: Players' Quotes

15 June 2006

Freddie LJUNGBERG(SWE), Budweiser Man of the Match
It will be a massive game against England and both teams will want to win to top the group. It's going to be very difficult because England are a very good team, but we’re looking forward to it. The goal was important, but not just because it was me who scored it. We needed the three points tonight. Plus, it was important for the fans because you saw the support we had here. It made me very proud and I would have been disappointed not to give something back to those fans.

Henrik LARSSON (SWE)
Of course I am very happy. Paraguay are a very good team, but in the end luck was on our side. We are pleased that we managed to score the goal. We played well today and against Trinidad and Tobago, but that’s how football is: sometimes you make the chances, sometimes you don’t. A victory like this gives you an extra edge and it was fantastic having 50,000 fans here for us.

Christian WILHEMSSON (SWE)
We created a lot, again, and finally we did it. We have the three points and that’s all that matters.

Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC (SWE)
We are happy with our situation and are not thinking about playing Germany in the round of 16. We take it game-by-game and will play the next match against England like we have played all our other matches so far. Let's see what will happen.

Roque Santa Cruz (PAR)
We are really disappointed, as we came here with a big dream, and now we go home with nothing. It is very difficult to explain what happened, the words are missing. The team is sad because we feel that we have done enough in the game. We didn't find our way of playing in either of the game. It is not possible any more, but I would have been happy if Paraguay had reached the Round of 16 and played against Germany. It is difficult to know why we have gone out because we weren't bad in either game. The players' confidence was there.

Roberto ACUNA (PAR)
I don’t know what was missing. Maybe I will know tomorrow, but at the moment it’s just very sad. It’s my last World Cup and I’m very thankful. To be in the World Cup is the greatest thing for any football player. You represent your country, your flag. We could have qualified, but there is nothing we can do about it now.

Nelson VALDEZ (PAR)
We came to the World Cup with the dream of making history. Now we are very disappointed that this dream has been shattered. Now I cross my fingers for the Germans, who are celebrating a big party here.

Denis CANIZA (PAR)
I’m really sad. It is the World Cup and I know that the whole of Paraguay was watching and that they are all crying now.