| Club Brugge | 1 - 2 | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Akpala (3') |  | |
| David Murphy (26') | |
| Jonathan Blondel (31) |  | |
| Nikola Zigic (35) | |
| Niki Zimling (68) | | |
| Jonathan Spector (75) | |
| Wade Elliott (82) | |
| Chris Wood (90') | |
| Date | : | Wed, Oct 20, 2011 |
| Time | : | 19:00 CET |
| Play on | : | UEFA Europa League |
Club Brugge 1 - 2 Birmingham 20th Oct Highlights 2011
Club Brugge 1 - 2 Birmingham 20th Oct squad
Club Brugge: Colin Coosemans, Ryan Donk, Vadis Odjija Ofoe, Tom Hogli, Michael Almeback, Jannes Vansteenkiste, Jonathan Blondel, Niki Zimling, Lior Rafaelov, Nabil Dirar, Joseph Akpala
Substitutions: Jimmy De Jonghe for Jannes Vansteenkiste (60), Thomas Meunier for Lior Rafaelov (63), Fries Deschilder for Jonathan Blondel (82)
Birmingham: Boaz Myhill, Steven Caldwell, Pablo Ibañez, Jonathan Spector, David Murphy, Wade Elliott, Keith Fahey, Chris Burke, Guiranne N'daw, Nikola Zigic, Adam Rooney
Substitutions: Marlon King for Adam Rooney (73), Chris Wood for Nikola Zigic (73), Liam Ridgewell for Pablo Ibañez (90)
Chris Wood scored a stunning winner in the 10th minute of extra time to ensure an exciting Birmingham Europa League Group H victory against Club Brugge.
Npower Championship side had followed Joseph Akpala three minutes of opening, but roared over 5,400 fans traveling, which matched polished through David Murphy on 26 minutes.
Then, after more than six minutes of treatment for defender Pablo Ibanez, after he was beaten unconscious on the concern of fashion, Wood stole in at the near post to score a dramatic winner.
The victory saw the city to draw level with their hosts at the top of the group and hopes of fuel to reach the knockout stage.
One of the many changes made by Blues boss Chris Hughton backup goalkeeper Colin Doyle was left after his mistake against NK Maribor last month, with Boaz Myhill between the posts in place. Striker Nikola Zigic made his first European season up front.
Npower Championship side were clearly oppressed against the group leaders in Bruges, but were supported by a vociferous contingent of 5,400 travel with many more in the city, but without tickets.
Bruges made the run early and surprised the visiting team less than three minutes.
Nabil Dirar whipped a low cross that was able to guide Akpala home with finesse.
Birmingham striker Chris Burke won a corner on 11 minutes that saw Keith Fahey explosion over Wade Elliott set piece, while at the other end Vansteenkiste Janes addressed the side-netting.
In minute 26, Birmingham called.
After surviving a spell of pressure saw Myhill save Vadis Odjidja shot, they made their way up the field and when Elliott sent on the cross, Murphy was responsible for guiding the ball.
Jonathan Blondel Bruges and the leader of the city of Zigic were recorded in separate incidents, while Colin Murphy Coosemans tested with a free kick.
Adam Rooney and Chris Burke squandered decent opportunities and the former certainly should have done better when prodded Zigic fall for very little.
Birmingham midfielder Guirane N'Daw highly speculative shot sent away to the corner flag in the second half got underway.
Dirar is still a major threat on the right flank as he creates an opportunity for Akpala, who could only stab wide.
Zigic should have put his side ahead on 59 minutes when Burke crosses found hidden behind the defense, but the Serb somehow led range of the far post.
Adrie Koster Bruges chief made two changes in an attempt to take the initiative, sending Jimmy Thomas Meunier Jonghe and before the referee Daniele Orsato Niki booked for handball Zimling Bruges.
Hughton's ambition matched his counterpart by sending the strikers Marlon King and wood for Zigic and Rooney on 73 minutes.
They immediately joined as an ambitious shot Wood was diverted to a Coosemans grateful. Bruges captain Ryan Donk was not far from marking a short message header at 80 minutes.
There were moments of anxiety in the 83rd minute when Pablo Ibanez suffered a blow in an aerial challenge Akpala and his teammates frantically gesturing Pitchside staff.
Burke was shaken N'Daw and bad as the Spanish, who appeared to be unconscious, was treated for more than six minutes before being carried from the pitch in a spinal board, replaced by Liam Ridgewell.
Elliott sent a great shot deep into stoppage time before Wood stunned the stadium with a victory in the 100th minute.
Rey strike partner ball mounted on the right and the smart young Kiwi guided the ball into the top right corner at the near post.
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