Eriksson says England defeat hurts

GELSENKIRCHEN, July 1 (Reuters) England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said defeat to Portugal in a World Cup penalty shootout today was unfair and a painful end to his stint in the job.

''I don't think we deserved to lose...We lost on penalties and I'm really sorry about it. The boys deserved better today,'' he told reporters.

''They fought enormously when it was 10 against 11 but anyhow we lost,'' added Eriksson. England were reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute when Wayne Rooney was sent off.

''We are out of the tournament and it hurts...it's very painful,'' he added.

''We practise penalties so much so I don't know what you can do more about that,'' he added.

England lost 3-1 on penalties to Portugal after a scoreless 120 minutes.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has steered Portugal to the semi-finals after winning the World Cup with his native Brazil four years ago.

Portugal will play France or Brazil in the semi-final in Munich on Wednesday.

Scolari paid tribute to the way England responded to the loss of Rooney.

''Congratulations to England, with 10 players they were incredible, it was an electrifying match,'' he told reporters.

''We didn't take advantage because we shot too much from outside the penalty area. England closed the way to goal very well and it was like playing 11 against 11.'' REUTERS SHR KP0003