Hasselbaink dreaming of Wembley

Hasselbaink has scored eight goals so far this season

The Riverside
Sunday 9 March
Sixth Round
Kick-off: 1400 GMT
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Replay: TBA
BBC coverage: LIVE on BBC One, BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day 2.

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thought his chance of FA Cup glory had gone when he signed for Cardiff City last summer.

But the Dutch striker will lead City into their quarter-final clash with Middlesbrough on Sunday dreaming of a day out at Wembley in the semi-finals.

Hasselbaink said: "I never thought when I joined I'd be in a position where I'm dreaming of playing at Wembley.

"Playing at Wembley excites the most experienced players but we have to beat 'Boro first and that will be tough."

Interview: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Former Premiership goal king Hasselbaink enjoyed two years at The Riverside where the veteran striker inspired Middlesbrough to their highest Premier League finish and a Uefa Cup final.

The only thing we've got to cure with Jimmy is his cheating at cards on the bus! Cardiff boss Dave Jones

"I have very fond memories of my time at Boro," said Hasselbaink, who left The Riverside in 2006.

"The first season we achieved seventh in the Premier League and reached the semi-final of the FA Cup where we lost to West Ham.

"The following season, after some crazy results in Europe, we played Seville in the UEFA Cup final.

"My time at Middlesbrough was a great time in my life.

"It's the big games, like Sunday's quarter-final, that you'll never forget as the atmosphere is always electric and I'm sure the quarter-final on Sunday will be very similar.

"I still speak to some of the Boro guys and George Boateng told me that he'd look after me on Sunday so I can't wait for that!"

Hasselbaink has starred in an FA Cup final when his Chelsea lost 2-0 to Arsenal at The Millennium Stadium in 2002.

The 36-year-old former Dutch international knows his chances of gracing the hallowed Wembley turf is against the odds but Hasselbaink believes Cardiff can cause an FA Cup upset on Sunday.

"Wembley is a great stadium and now that we're just one match away we must take our opportunity," he said.

"If any Cardiff player wasn't confident about beating Middlesbrough then they would stay at home as if we're on our day and they're not then we're in with a chance.

"That is the beauty of the FA Cup.

"It will be far from easy as Middlesbrough have some very good players but so do we."

The Bluebirds are preparing for their first FA Cup quarter-final since 1927, the year Cardiff became the only club to take the famous trophy out of England when they beat Arsenal 1-0 in the final.

And Hasselbaink played a massive part in ensuring Cardiff this prestigious last eight showdown at Boro.

He scored one and created the other in their 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous round.

"Jimmy's deft flick for Peter Whittingham's goal against Wolves was of the highest quality," said Cardiff manager Dave Jones.

606: DEBATE Hard fought 2-1 win for Boro but anything can happen in the cup . willboro64

"And his goal was fit to win any football match."

Hasselbaink's moody temperament goes before him but Jones has hailed his impact since arriving at Ninian Park on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic last summer.

"It is well-documented that Jimmy likes a moan," said Jones.

"But it is in the right way, that's what you need.

"He lets our younger players understand what it takes to be the best and it is a quality this football club has not had before.

"Slowly his professionalism and knowledge, which you can't inject into the younger lads, is rubbing off.

"The only thing we've got to cure with Jimmy is his cheating at cards on the bus!

"Jimmy and the other older lads will be up for this because they know this could be their last chance of a trip to Wembley."

Hasselbaink's man-of-the-match display against Wolves was his best performance of an improving season at Cardiff.

But as he prepares to return to The Riverside, Hasselbaink insists: "I'd swap scoring for winning."