|
BORO v STEAUA SEMI FINAL 2nd LEG
History will be made tonight either way. The first European semi-final for Boro is tremendous in itself but surely no Boro fan or player would be prepared to settle for ending the campaign here? Pitch and crowd would give their all to not only keep the dream alive but to take it beyond previously believed limits.
As the strains of the pre-match music rang out around The Riverside the stirring chords sounded distinctly hymn-like. Prayer would be useful tonight, but despite Schwarzer's tragic injury, with Southgate, Roggot and Viduka returning to the squad and Steaua's three best players out, even Danger Man Dica did not seem that much of a threat to the sold out stadium.
Jones, Riggott, Southgate (Maccarone 26), Queudrue, Parnaby, Taylor (Yakubu 55), Downing, Rochemback, Boateng, Hasselbaink (Ehiogu 89), Viduka
From the off Boro showed they meant business and Steaua looked slightly uncertain, however the visitors recovered very quickly after 2 minutes when a conceded corner led to a free header from Dica that, although was never in danger of going in, set the tone for the match.
Parnaby's attempt on goal was thwarted five minutes later and Downing's corner was safely held by Carlos. With 13 minutes gone Boro were staying admirably cool and patient against the defensive solidity of Steaua.
On 16 minutes, a free kick was taken by Marin whose shot was saved but the ball bounced awkwardly at the feet of Jones and he could only put it out in one direction which was unfortunately at the feet of Dica who managed to find the back of the net.
Middlesbrough 0 (0) Steau Bucharest 1 (2) (Dica 16)
As expected the goal galvanised the visitors and Boro were already starting to look fatigued. It seemed that every neutral ball was going against Boro and the vital split second of pace needed was not there.
Another Steaua corner saw Jones block the shot but collectively the 7 red shirts in the box as well as Jones could not stop Goian finding a path to the goal in order to attempt to seal the tie.
Middlesbrough 0 (0) Steau Bucharest 2 (3) (Goian 23)
The injured Southgate was replaced by Basle hero Maccarone because of an injury flare up. The Romanians were absolutely jubilant and McClaren looked close to tears, and he wasn't the the only one. When Hail Massimo scooped up a pass from Viduka on 32 minutes the merest flicker of hope that was left in Teesside leapt back into life as it was one down, 3 to go.
Middlesbrough 1 (1) Steau Bucharest 2 (3) (Maccarone 32)
This led to end to end action and Boateng had a shot on goal and Downing was keen to impress and finally there was a chance for Viduka which really should have gone in as it was a beautiful piece of striking but Carlos got in the way. Eventually the Romanians started to become rattled as a corner led to a near miss from Taylor. The gods were looking the other way at this stage in the game however as the deficit could have been wiped out by now.
Four minutes extra time and yet again a Viduka strike was denied unbelievably by the jammiest deflection of a goalkeeper ever seen inside the Riverside. As the ball then went to the other end and back again, the second Boro goal that was looking like it was hovering in the ether did not materialise.
Half Time Fan reaction - "There is hope"
The COB crew at The Riverside
Second Half
Steve McClaren's half-time talk was clearly effective as Boro came out of the blocks at a gallop. A minute later, and without the gaffer even being on the pitch The Boat was kicked in the head with the studs of the Steau captain Radoi after a stupidly reckless flying tackle. Although he recovered and stayed on the pitch absolutely no penalty was given to the offender.
Boro were gaining confidence with every minute however and carried on the campaign to rattle the visitors into defeat. On 52 minutes Viduka did his control and swivel move for at least the 3rd time in succession but Carlos's force field was seemingly impenetrable.
Yakubu came on for Taylor which seemed a solid decision. Still Boro did not let up with their attacking formation that left observers thinking that Boro did not deserve this scoreline after the effort that had been put in and that they were living to deeply regret the first 20 minutes. Steau made several attempts on the counter attack and there was absolutely no let up in the tension.
What looked like a fair tackle by Boateng on Radoi saw him booked which seemed overwhelmingly harsh after what had gone before and this was then followed by a yellow for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for diving in the box. 30 000 Boro fans were on their feet calling for a penalty but it did appear that the ref had got this right.
On the back of this came another near miss for Hasselbaink - would one of these shots ever go in?
Finally Viduka made the break from Downing's cross with a sublime header and Boro were on the way. It should have been the fifth but for now hope flared for the remaining 25 minutes and Steau were on the back foot
Middlesbrough 2 (2) Steau Bucharest 2 (3) (Viduka 64)
And still the attack continued as Bucharest appeared to be waning by the minute as they struggled to hold up under the Boro onslaught. Incidnts followed thinck and fast with Dica being booked for handball and dissent and then tears after the realisation that he would miss the final should Steau get there.
The most major incident came when Stewart Downing tried a shot that was picked up by Chris Riggot who slammed it in from the centre of the box and the Riverside exploded. Never before had the Riverside seen such a display, apart from 3 weeks ago at the Basle match
.
Middlesbrough 3 (3) Steau Bucharest 2 (3) (Riggott 73)
Into the Red Zone
With all four Boro strikers on the pitch and just one goal needed the final 10 minutes were electric. Even the Swedish Chef was still in attendance, although frankly it's not like he has anything else to do. Steaua had rallied slightly but Boro were relentless. As the players struggled to stay upright on the bumpy pitch, Steaua made their final substitution - another defender. Could Boro do it?
And unbelievably the answer was yes. It was Downing once more who created the chance, although it could have been any one of our players such was the manner of our atack. The ball was just asking to be slammed off someone's head and it was Basle hero Hail Massimo who obliged and almost every Boro fan fainted on the spot (and some Steau fans but for different reasons)
Middlesbrough 4 (4) Steau Bucharest 2 (3) (Massimo 89)
As Ugo Ehiogu came on for Jimmy the final few 4 minutes of stoppage time cause collective heart failure and would have tested the resolve of the strongest fan of either side. A Steau corner and then free kick was witness by 30 000 hands over eyes but Boro got their happy ending straight out of a fairy tale as the full time whistle finally sounded.
History has been made indeed.
Full Time Fan Reaction - "EINDHOVEN BABY!!!!!"
BACK TO STEAUA MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
|
|
|
|
