THE victory Dutch duo Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and George Boateng craved in their homeland may not have arrived last night. But Middlesbrough achieved the next best thing - qualification for the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup.

Boro are fast becoming European experts. The goalless draw against highly-fancied AZ Alkmaar secured progress from Group D after just three matches, and it is now more than seven and a half hours of football since Boro conceded a goal in the competition.

They are undefeated in five UEFA Cup matches, and favourites to progress as winners of their group after an outstanding defensive display in the Alkmaarderhout against a clever, adventurous outfit.

As well as being a successful night for Hasselbaink, at the club which dismissed his talent 12 years ago, it also provided the perfect gift for manager Steve McClaren, after signing a new four-year deal earlier in the week.

McClaren is developing a knack for earning results in Europe and to outwit one of the game's most respected coaches, Louis van Gaal, is testament to the Yorkshireman's tactical nous.

AZ winger Tarik Sektioui may have had a first half strike wrongly ruled out for offside but defeat would have been harsh on a Boro defence, bereft of captain Gareth Southgate and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who gave everything to keep AZ out.

Like Boro, this is AZ's second consecutive appearance in the competition and their only previous European action was back in the late 1970s and early 80s, including a defeat to Ipswich Town in the final.

It is that sort of scenario coach van Gaal is hoping to see his side achieve this time around, having reached the semi-finals last season before losing to Sporting Lisbon, Boro's conquerors in the last 16.

But to increase the chances of that happening van Gaal, whose side won their only other group game so far against Dnipro, knew three points at home against Boro were essential.

The need for Boro to claim maximum points was not as vital, although McClaren had insisted he would be urging his players to go out in that frame of mind.

The boss, whose side had lost just one of their last five matches prior to last night, made five changes to the team that defeated Fulham on Sunday.

Southgate, Stuart Parnaby, Franck Queudrue and Aiyegbeni Yakubu were all rested, while Fabio Rochemback's ineligibility meant another chance for Doriva.

AZ included midfielder Denny Landzaat, who is in direct competition with Boateng for a place in Holland's World Cup squad, as they retained the team that drew with Groningen at the weekend.

Boateng took the chance to perform in his homeland from the first whistle. He was involved in both Boro's opening two chances, which resulted in Mark Viduka being denied by the feet of Henk Timmer, while Szilard Nemeth only succeeded in passing the ball back to the keeper.

But the home side, unbeaten since losing to PSV on October 15, looked dangerous every time they attacked, with Kenneth Perez pulling the strings.

It was Perez, playing just behind the front three, who fired in the first shot of the move that led to AZ having a goal ruled out for offside.

Tarik Sektioui fired a second rebound beyond Jones, but Shota Arveladze was controversially judged to have been in an offside position.

The wintry conditions made an open encounter even more exciting and only an exceptional save stopped AZ from taking the lead.

Arveladze wrong-footed the Boro defence by allowing the ball to roll into the path of Perez. He took a touch before his curling low strike gathered pace on the slippery surface and Jones got down to make a fine stop with his outstretched right arm.

AZ's two speedy wide-men, Barry van Galen and Sektioui in particular, continually stretched the Boro defence but if there was a weakness in the home side's play it was their own backline.

Every time Boro counter-attacked, and got out of their half, there would have been little surprise had a goal arrived.

And, arguably, the best chance of the first half fell to them and was wasted. Nemeth's sliding pass to Viduka left the Australian with just Timmer to beat.

However the striker, making his first appearance since helping book his country's place in next summer's Germany finals, wasted the opportunity by aiming his left foot strike just wide of the far post.

Having reached half-time unscathed there was genuine reason for the travelling contingent of 400 supporters to be optimistic about claiming the point required, with the potential for even more.

As the hour approached - after Emanuel Pogatetz was booked by Italian referee Gianluca Paparesta - AZ had failed to find the breakthrough.

And, more importantly for Boro, they were being restricted to harmless long shots.

When AZ did enter the Boro box they found a defence in a blocking mood, epitomised by one brave Pogatetz stop at the back post when Sektioui struck.

Boro's defensive performance very nearly earned its reward at the other end as Riggott rose high to meet a Pogatetz centre and full-back Tim de Cler's attempted clearance very nearly ended up beating his own keeper.

Yakubu's introduction for Viduka suggested McClaren was not going to sit back and accept a point from a keenly contested fixture, but a winning goal failed to materialise.

Not that he will be too concerned this morning as his side - after surviving a couple of late, late scares - have qualified for the next stage with a game to spare

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