Friday, November 25, 2005
AZ Alkmaar 0 Boro 0
6 points on the board already meant a draw of any kind would be enough to see us through to the last 32 for the 2nd consecutive year. That the game went ahead at all is something of a blessing, as a late inspection was passed OK before the heavens really opened with avengeance. The pitch was a bog and conditions conducive to flowing football were non-existent. Even so Alkmaar had not conceded a point on their home ground in 8 games and would surely come out seeking to dominate the group.Certain players, including top scorer Yakubu, were rested early on leaving Jimmy Floyd, who had no little history in AZ, to captain the team for the first time. The tempo was as high as it could have been in the conditions and overall it was a decent game. The home team showed more commitment in attack in the main, forcing several good stops from replacement keeper Brad Jones (Schwarzer out with a slight shoulder injury) and from the 4 men in front of him, notably an out of position Matthew Bates at right back and Boro's most consistent player of recent games, Chris Riggott. We never looked like winning with anything other than a lucky counter but the performance was brave and full of spirit; enough to earn that label of "job done" which we are getting quite used to thank you very much! 7 points and a win at home against Litex Lovech in 2 weeks to secure top place in the group and thus avoid Champions League 3rd place teams in the next round. Good stuff.
My MOTM: Jones deserves his accolades, but for me Riggott was the real reason for the clean sheet and gets the nod.
