Etheridge: “We move on together to next weekend”
Neil Etheridge spoke following the Bluebirds’ opening Premier League game of 2018/19.
Despite a battling effort - and a sensational first-half penalty save - the Bluebirds were defeated by two goals to nil at Vitality Stadium.
“I thought we grew into the game, to be honest,” said Neil following the final whistle. “In our first half in the Premier League we held our own.
“Then, I thought we were unlucky not to get something from it - it just didn’t drop for us, they had good quality and the second goal killed us off at the end.
“We knew what to expect but it’s always tough. We kept a good defensive shape and, in the second half, we dominated periods of the game. We were away from home as well, of course, and on another day it might have dropped for us.”
Etheridge’s Premier League bow on Saturday afternoon saw him become the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to play in the Premier League.
He went on to explain the importance of that personal achievement, despite opening-day disappointment on the South Coast.
“Of course, it’s fantastic," he said. "It’s a huge honour to help to push Southeast Asian football - and Asian football as a whole - forward.
“At the same time, my priority right now is Cardiff City Football Club and I hope to help the team as much as I can this season.
“The penalty save was great at the time too, because we were 1-0 down and it kept us in the game until the break. But it’s a team sport and we haven’t come away with three points.”
The Bluebirds’ number one finished by setting his sights on next weekend’s curtain raiser at Cardiff City Stadium, as City host Newcastle United at Saturday lunchtime.
“Now, we move on together to next weekend and we’re looking forward to it,” he added.
“Home games are going to be crucial for us this season. We’ve got some things to learn from today, but we’ve got a lot of positives to take from it as well.
“It’s a long season - we’ll keep sticking together and working hard and we’ll go into every game looking to pick up points.”
