MATCH PREVIEW: MIDDLESBROUGH vs CARDIFF CITY
Match Previews
22nd February
Venue: Riverside Stadium
Date: Tuesday, 23rd February 2016, 7:45pm K.O.
After Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the Bluebirds travel to Middlesbrough this evening, with the match being Beamed Back to CCS.
Come and join us to watch the match at Cardiff City Stadium from just £3!
THE OPPOSITION
Boro are sat in third position with 58 points – one behind second place Hull, with two games in hand on the Tigers. After a solid start to the season, which saw the Teesiders go on a 9 match unbeaten run between November and January, a New Year’s slide has seen them without a win since January 12th.
Boss Aitor Karanka looked to address that issue in the January Transfer Window, with the high-profile signing of Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn Rovers. The striker, who scored 83 goals for Rovers in a three and a half year spell, has featured twice since joining, netting an injury time equaliser at MK Dons. The club also recruited midfielder Julien De Sart from Standard Liège on Deadline Day.
Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani is another Boro danger man – with twelve goals to his name so far this campaign. Meanwhile, summer signing David Nugent tops the club assist chart, with 5.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
City loanee Sammy Ameobi had a spell with Middlesbrough back in 2013. After joining from rivals Newcastle United, the winger featured nine times for Boro at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, scoring a solitary goal – against the Bluebirds.
Another player who could be lining up to face his former side tomorrow night is goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos. The Greek stopper joined us on loan in February 2009, and made 6 appearances. ‘Dimi’ went on to play in Greece for Kerkyra FC and AEK Athens, before joining ‘Boro in 2013, establishing himself as the first choice keeper under Karanka.
Cardiff legend Graham Kavanagh spent 5 years at Middlesbrough, between 1991 and 1996. In that time he only made 35 league appearances, and was sold to Stoke City. After establishing himself at the Potteries, Kav joined ‘City in 2001, and became a club legend. The midfielder scored 34 goals in his time at Ninian Park, including a famous free-kick equaliser against Leeds United in 2002.
MEMORABLE MEETING
Middlesbrough 0 – 2 Cardiff City
FA Cup Quarter Final
Riverside Stadium, 9th March 2008
An historic game saw Cardiff book their place at Wembley, after comfortably seeing off Premiership ‘Boro in the FA Cup.
After wins over Chasetown, Hereford and Wolves, the Bluebirds went to Middlesbrough with a potential giant killing on the cards, as the home team were clear favourites.
City lived up to their billing as plucky underdogs, and opened the scoring after nine minutes. Cardiff hero Peter Whittingham received the ball on the edge of the area, before beating Fabio Rochemback with a clever drag-back. A neat shimmy saw the midfielder work the ball onto his right foot, before sending an unstoppable curling effort past Mark Schwarzer.
The thousands of travelling Bluebirds had another moment to savour only 14 minutes later, with Whittingham involved once again. His sumptuous free-kick was met by Roger Johnson, whose graceful diving header set City on their way to a Wembley date with Barnsley in the semi-final.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, O'Neil (Johnson 59), Arca, Rochemback, Downing, Alves (Mido 46), Sanli.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Boateng, Grounds.
Cardiff City: Enckelman, McNaughton (Blake 87), Johnson, Loovens, Capaldi, Whittingham, Rae, McPhail, Parry (Sinclair 82), Ramsey, Hasselbaink (Thompson 76).
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
TICKETS: There's still time to secure your tickets for the Beam Back, in person, or by calling 0845 345 1400. Read the full Beam Back timetable here.
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from Boro vs Cardiff
WATCH: You can watch the full 90 mins live at the Beam Back, while extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from the Riverside and CCS Beam Back will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on Smart Phones.
