Viduka And Schwarzer Star In Boro Win
Qantas Socceroo captain Mark Viduka continued his remarkable form of late with another wonder goal as Middlesbrough advanced to the semi finals of the FA Cup with a 4-2 replay win over Charlton Athletic.
In a game that was a total contrast to the initial tie, both teams had attack on their minds and while Viduka (pictured right) scored a delightful goal, his countrymen up the other end Mark Schwarzer was also a hero with some magnificent saves that kept Boro in the game.
Middlesbrough will meet West Ham in the semi-s at Villa Park on Monday week.
Viduka-s goal, Middlesbrough-s fourth, sealed the win, shortly after Charlton had pulled a goal back to make it 3-2 with 15 minutes remaining. The big Australian striker showed all his class to score the goal of the game in the 77th minute.
Receiving the ball with his back to goal some 15 yards out, Viduka turned one defender, fainted one way and went the other to beat Chris Perry and in the blinking of eye, beat another defender with a great touch and then slid home his shot with precision.
It was his 16th goal of the season and 7th in his past 12 games since the start of March, which is just the sort of form that Middlesbrough and Australia have been looking for.
Schwarzer though was also critical in the win making string of vital saves in the first half especially, although he was partly at fault for Charlton-s second goal, which was eventually recorded as an own goal to Gareth Southgate.
Middlesbrough are now into the semi finals of both the UEFA and FA Cups and there is no doubt both Aussies will play key roles in how they fare in those competitions.