Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo: 'Not a drama to be in playoffs'

Portugal international forward Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that his side will have to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals via the playoffs.

The Euro 2004 finalists were held to a 1-1 draw by Israel at home on Friday and are now second in Group F with 18 points from nine matches.

"It's not a drama to be in the playoffs," he told A Bola. "It's become normal, it's not a surprise because that's what has happened to us in recent years.

"[Automatic qualification] is mathematically possible but not up to us. We must be content to play the playoff.

"Hopefully, we'll now get a bit of luck and not get a complicated team. The only team I wouldn't like to face is France."

Russia currently lead Group F with 21 points from nine matches.