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AZ ALKMAAR v MIDDLESBROUGH MATCH REPORT
It was time for another formation change and Middlesbrough introduced a new one tonight, 4-3-1-2 with The Lizard playing just behind the strikers and a three man midfield. Mark Viduka was back but Mark Schwarzer is still injured and didn't make the trip.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink captained the Boro side on his return to the club where he started his career. It had rained all day long in Alkmaar and was still pouring down as the game began.
Jones, Bates, Ehiogu, Riggott, Pogatetz, Morrison (Parnaby), Doriva, Boateng, Nemeth (Queudrue), Hasselbaink, Viduka (Yakubu)
Knight, Southgate, Johnson, Maccarone
THE FIRST HALF
The pace of the Dutch side was evident from the first minute. Boro's defence were almost caught out early as Pogatetz failed to deal with danger. There would be no mistakes allowed in this game.
Boro played well in the first ten minutes, containing Alkmaar and never allowing them to demonstrate their skill at breaking forward at pace. Good work by Morrison had produced our first striking chance. The Lizard managed a good shot on target, only to see it saved.
But we were foxed in the thirteenth minute when Brad Jones cleared a shot but only as far as the crossbar. The rebound was tucked away at the second time of asking by Sektioui. Alkmar were disappointed when the offside decision was given and Boro breathed again.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thought that he had prised open the Alkmaar defence on twenty-two minutes as he collected an excellent ball from The Lizard but the shot was wide. At the other end, Brad Jones was forced into a save when Van Galen looked like he had the keeper beaten with a low shot.
Just after Mark Viduka had shot wide on twenty-four minutes, Alkmaar nearly got the opener but Brad Jones made another great save from Arveladze's stinging shot.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was booked on thrity-one minutes for unsporting behaviour as Pogotetz continued to have a difficult evening with Steinsson getting the better of him on several occasions.
Boro remained solid for the rest of the half and managed to stop Alkmaar creating any clear cut opportunities. We made a few of chances of our own as well with Mark Viduka particularly the biggest problem for Alkmaar's defence.
The half ended with Boro in the ascendancy, on the attack and most definitely looking forward to the second half.
THE SECOND HALF
The second half started in stormy fashion for Emanuel Pogatetz who took a bang on his already broken nose after an outrageous challenge on De Cler. Pogo was booked for his trouble and couldn't complain about it.
Boro were looking like they were more than a match for the Dutch, unbeaten at home this season going into tonight's clash.
The second half had not started with the same gusto as the first but Boro were not in danger and it was looking like Steve Mc had picked good tactics for this game. The common consensus was that as long as Alkmaar were not allowed to break at speed, we would probably be safe.
George Boateng was booked just before the hour mark for a clattering challenge on Buskermolen. Mark Viduka was withdrawn soon after despite having played well and James Morrison joined him on the bench as Yakubu and Stuart Parnaby entered the action.
Boro had looked the better side in the second half up until the substitutions, despite Alkmaar having enjoyed the majority of the play. They had found a way forward on several occasions only to be frustrated in the final third, usually by Pogatetz who was involved throughout and always ready to join in the roughest of the action.
Franck Quedrue replaced The Lizard on seventy-three minutes with the formation remaining the same and Franck operating from midfield.
INTO THE RED ZONE
Scoring chances had been rare in the second half. In many ways it had been a typical European match with both teams trying to outwit each other. We are more used to the fast pace of the Premiership but that is not to de-value tonight's contest.
Despite the lack of goalmouth action, both teams had performed well and produced an interesting match that could have been declared almost over when Pogatetz cleared off the line after Brad Jones had stumbled.
Boro hed their own right until the end, securing the point that they needed to make 100% certain of a place in the last thirty-two. Boro are still unbeaten in Europe this season and looking more and will be spoen about as contenders for the trophy even more after this performance.
And why shouldn't we win the UEFA Cup? All we have to do is negotiate another ten matches.
Final Whistle: 1822 - Report Online: 1824
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