The Official MFC Singapore supporters club was founded by Ariff Ahmad on the 3rd June 2004, Ariff's passion for the club inspired him to identify other local and expatriates Middlesbrough supporters to create awareness and develop the growing Asian interest in Middlesbrough Football Club. Mr Steve Gibson the Chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club endorsed the formation of the MFC Singapore Supporters Club with an official letter presented in Singapore.

Boro SG Fans Base

Catch Live Boro Match at Boomarang Bistro and Bar BOAT QUAY 52 Circular Rd Singapore 049407.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Alves off target for beaten Boro



BORO 0 VITORIA GUIMARAES 1





DESPITE looking the better side on the night, another late goal saw Boro slip to defeat in their second game in three days Faro tonight.

Boro adopted a 4-5-1 formation with Afonso Alves the lone striker while the lively Adam Johnson and Graeme Owens were switching wings.

The better side in the first half, Boro coped well, though there was no real danger for Ross Turnbull who demonstrated good handling.

The two best chances fell to Boro, both to Alves. After a positive run Adam Johnson was brought down a yard from the edge of the penalty area, but the resultant free-kick was despatched a yard over the bar.

Julio Arca was been the subject of two unnecessarily meaty challenges which saw Colin Cooper and Gareth Southgate leap off the bench, otherwise there had been little to excite a crown of around 400, 200 of which are Boro fans.

In his second game at this level Rhys Williams had coped well, but it was been Johnson who has caught the eye and he set up Alves with another chance, but after good approach work the Brazilian was challenged just as he was poised to shoot.

Half-time: Boro 0 Vitoria Guimaraes 0

Again Gareth Southgate made a host of changes during the break with Adam Johnson the only outfield player keeping his place.

And he did so to good effect, constantly causing problems for a side whose only tactic to stop him was to bring him down.

A header from Robert Huth was the closest Boro went to scoring in 90 minutes, the German defender not far off target from a Jonathan Franks free-kick.

Turnbull produced a brilliant tip over to deny Jean Coral whose long-range effort was well struck, Joe Bennett enjoyed another good game and while Marvin Emnes showed a couple of bright touches he didn't get the chance to shine the way he did against Celtic.

Boro were the better of the two sides, but it was yet another late strike which undid them.

Huth was booked for disputing the position of the free-kick which led to Boro's downfall, but there was no disputing the quality of delivery from Dinis which sailed past the helpless Turnbull.

Boro first half: Turnbull; Young, Williams, Wheater, Taylor, Owens, Digard, Walker, Arca, Alves, A Johnson.

Boro second half: Turnbull; McMahon, Huth, Grounds, Bennett, Franks, J Johnson, Shawky, Emnes, Aliadiere, A Johnson (Tuncay 71).

Vitoria Guimaraes: Serginho, Luciano, Sereno, Flavio, Desmarets, Fajardo, Douglas, Danilo, Andrezinho, Joao Alves, Marquinho. (subs to follow)

Conditions: Balmy.

Website Boro Man of Match: 1st half Adam Johnson. 2nd half Joe Bennett.

Its too early to judge new Southgate squad but yet,Southgate need to focus on feeding and finishing.I wish that after this tour,Boro will go back sharp and stronger.Looking foward if Southgate will bring Sorensen to Riverside like what Alves told in his official Website.

Come On Boro!

Ariff Ahmad