England outgoing coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said his side did not deserve to be eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Portugal in a penalty shootout on Saturday. "I don't think we deserved to lose and I think the boys deserved better," Eriksson told a press conference after the match. "But we lost the game and went out of the tournament and that hurts incredibly," the Swede, who will be replaced by his assistant Steve McClaren, added. Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo parried three penalties to guide his side to a 3-1 victory in shootout on Saturday and secure a place in the World Cup semis after the game ended in a goalless draw. "We practiced penalties so much, I really don't know what more we could do about it. I was sure these players could get to the final and we should have done it," Eriksson said. The former Lazio boss paid tribute to his players, who played the majority of the second half with 10 men after Wayne Rooney received his marching orders in the 62nd minute. "I must say they fought enormously when it was 10 against 11. We started the second half very well and controlled the game exactly what we wanted to do," he said. "Then there was the sending off. We held the game up very well and lost on penalties again and I'm really sorry about that," he added. On the other hand, Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said he eyes a place in the World Cup's final after his side secured their status in the last four for the first time since 1966. "We have a possibility of victory in the next game as well and we get to the final. But in principle, we are taking things step by step. We would be happy with any adversary," he said. The former Brazil coach also praised England's efforts throughout the match. "Congratulations to England, with 10 players they were incredible - it was an electrifying match." "We didn't take advantage, we shot too much from outside the area. England closed the way to goal very well and it was like playing against 11," he added.
