Cardiff manager Omer Riza told BBC Radio Wales: "We made har

Cardiff manager Omer Riza told BBC Radio Wales:


"We made hard work of it. They [Stoke] showed good character to come back.”

“ We gave them a lifeline at 2-1 and didn't start the second half well enough.”


"But the boys showed good character to come back and win the game in the end. That was satisfying.”

"Rubin's been excellent and out of possession he had to work really hard.”

“ I think there was a bit of cramp setting in with a few of the lads. They showed really good character and togetherness, and I said to the boys that character could elevate us."

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Omer Riza:

“I said to the boys afterwards that the togetherness and result elevates us, and I’m just really happy to be in the Fifth Round."

With eyes now set firmly on a quick turnaround into Tuesday night's return to league action, Riza discussed the significance of Saturday's result in building confidence within the squad.

“This is about momentum for us. We’ve got the league in mind and now through to a another round in the Cup, and it’s good for morale for everybody. We’ve just got to make sure that we’re ready for our league games.

“Coming through that today, with all of the subs that we made and seeing the unity in the team, that sees us through until the end of the season. It could be a really big turning point for us.

“We’re in the Fifth Round now for the first time in 11 years, which is a good thing for the Club. It brings the fans together as well as the Club and the players, but now we’re focussing on what’s coming on Tuesday, which is a really tough game at Portsmouth. We’ll be ready for it.”

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Pompey v Cardiff City :

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