Middlesbrough 3-0 Banik O

UEFA CUP Uefa Cup photos Boro match reaction

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka struck in the second half to ensure a Boro victory on their debut in Europe.

Banik goalkeeper Martin Raska had thwarted Boro in the opening period, making a string of saves, the pick of which was a block to deny Viduka.

But soon after the restart Hasselbaink latched on to a deflected George Boateng shot to crash the ball home.

Viduka then took centre stage, first drilling the ball past Raska and then guiding a header past the Banik keeper.

The partnership between Hasselbaink and Viduka is still in its infancy, but manager Steve McClaren must be delighted by how the strikers have gelled since joining the club in the summer.

If Hasselbaink and Viduka got the goals, the key to Boro's victory was the drive from midfield provided by Boateng.

The former Aston Villa midfielder had a prodigious game, not only playing a part in Hasselbaink's goal, but also making some important defensive interventions in a tense opening start for Boro.

The Czech side proved difficult to break down and were also quick to counter-attack, with Mario Licka and Miroslav Matusovic particularly impressive.

Banik created the better earlier chances and Mark Schwarzer had to tip over the bar a rising shot from Radek Latal.

From the corner, Matusovic's flick on looped over Schwarzer, but also Peter Drozd who was lurking at the far post as Banik went close again.

Just before the half-hour mark Boro managed to find their attacking stride.

Raska had to save shots from Nemeth and Stuart Parnaby, while Chris Riggott also went close from a corner.

Raska then made an even better stop, foiling Viduka with a brave save after the Australian striker had been set free by a clever Nemeth pass.

After the interval Boro quickly regained their attacking momentum.

Boateng tested Raska with a low shot and soon after the Dutchman unleashed another long-range effort.

This time Boateng's shot took a deflection and the ball fell to Hasselbaink who made no mistake with a calm finish on 57 minutes.

Just after the hour Viduka finished with equal aplomb, firing the ball into the corner after good interplay by Parnaby and Nemeth.

In the 80th minute Viduka claimed his second, guiding a header past Raska after Zenden had crossed from the left.

In stoppage time Raksa made another superb save to tip Ray Parlour's shot over the bar.

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Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Southgate, Riggott, Queudrue, Nemeth, Boateng, Parlour, Zenden, Viduka, Hasselbaink.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Job, Downing, Doriva, Cooper, Morrison, McMahon.

Booked: Parlour.

Goals: Hasselbaink 57, Viduka 63, 80.

Banik Ostrava: Raska, Pospech, Dvornik (Velkoborsky 15), Besta, Drozd, Latal, Bystron, Zubek, Cizek, Matusovic (Papadopulos 87), Licka (Lukes 66).
Subs Not Used: Konig, Zavadil, Hoffmann, Zurek.

Booked: Velkoborsky.

Att: 29,746.

Ref: Pascal Garibian (France).