Stepanov happy with true reflection

Serbia and Montenegro defender Milan Stepanov says his side have finally shown what they are capable of, after raising their game to defeat Portugal 2-0 on Thursday.

Ivanović header
Dragomir Okuka's team disappointed in their 1-0 opening-day loss to Germany, but they looked a different proposition at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos where they ran out comfortable winners thanks to Zé Castro's first-half own goal and a 65th-minute Branislav Ivanović header.

'Two faces'
"In just two days against Germany and Portugal we have shown the two faces of our game," man-of-the-match Stepanov said. "I'm happy to say that tonight we saw the right reflection in the mirror. We showed our character and succeeded in solving the problems from the first match. We came into this tournament with a high burden of expectation to reach the final or at least the semi-final - now I hope we can meet those expectations after this excellent result."

'Important moment'
Ivanović's goal came moments after Bruno Vale had stopped Nenad Milijaš's penalty which had been awarded for Semedo's foul on Miloš Krasić. The resulting corner was played short to Dušan Basta who crossed to the far post where Ivanović rose to nod in. Portugal fans, still celebrating Bruno Vale's save, were silenced. "It was a very important moment to score," Ivanović said. "We have practised that routine in training, and when the ball came over I just focused on getting it."

France focus
Serbia and Montenegro next play Group A leaders France on Sunday, and Ivanović called for another strong performance from his side. "We played very well, not just one or two players, but the whole team," he said. "If we play as one, there should be no fear. Now we have to look ahead. To be successful in this tournament we have to really concentrate and react in exactly the same way after this game as we did after the defeat against Germany."