Birmingham City kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at the Estadio de Nora in Portugal. Demarai Gray and Kyogo Furuhashi (two goals) were on target as manager Chris Davies fielded different XIs in each half to give all first-team players minutes. George Sebine pulled one back for Huddersfield in stoppage time.
First half: Gray's rebound goal gives Blues the lead
The first pre-season friendly of the summer rarely delivers high quality, and both teams initially struggled to string passes together. A loose touch inside the Huddersfield box after 15 minutes allowed August Priske to turn on the ball, and he was fouled by a Terriers defender. With Jay Stansfield in the stands, Gray assumed penalty duties but saw his spot-kick saved by Matty Young. However, the ball rebounded to Gray, who slotted home to give Blues the lead.
Blues defended well for the remainder of the first half, limiting Huddersfield to few attacks and keeping a clean sheet before the second XI took over after the break.
Second half: Kyogo's double seals win
Everyone was keen to see how Kyogo Furuhashi would fare in pre-season, and the striker found the net swiftly after being introduced at half-time. He controlled a ball over the top and slotted home at the near post, only to see the flag raised for offside. Brad Mayo was called into action when Joe Low met a corner, the young goalkeeper leaping across to gather the ball.
Sebine raced in behind Jack Robinson midway through the second half, but Phil Neumann applied enough pressure to ensure the Huddersfield man fired over. Kyogo scored the first of his two late goals by heading home Kanya Fujimoto's cross from the goal-line. Confidence flowing, he quickly added a second with a smart finish after Fujimoto played him through on goal. Huddersfield pulled one back with the last action of the game as Sebine converted from close range, but Blues secured the win.
First half player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Ryan Allsop 6 – Had nothing to do apart from race out to collect a ball behind his defence, showing composure to control it with his thigh before playing wide to Wagner.
Bright Osayi-Samuel 6 – One good interception in midfield was the highlight; didn't bomb forward in the heat.
Billy Burrell 6 – Started nervously with a couple of loose passes but grew into the game.
Christoph Klarer 7 – The word friendly doesn't exist in Klarer's dictionary; he attempted to head a shot while on the floor and had words with Marcus Harness after a needless collision with medical staff.
Kai Wagner 6.5 – Shut down the left side with solid defensive contributions; has the edge on his left-back rivals.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman 6 – Had the idea to release Vicente with a ping that was slightly overhit, but his manager appreciated the intent.
Alex Cochrane 6 – Caught in possession early on adapting to midfield but started to recycle the ball more quickly; a good passer.
Carlos Vicente 6.5 – Had a right battle with his man on the right flank in a high-intensity 45-minute outing; was in the vicinity when the penalty was won.
Briar Bateman 6 – Tried to turn and combine with teammates; has size and pace, and hopefully end product will come.
Demarai Gray 6.5 – Stepped up to take the penalty and was fortunate to see the rebound come back; tried to get at his man and tracked back well.
August Priske 7 – Maybe the brightest forward; won the penalty with a sharp turn and troubled Huddersfield with runs down the channels.
Second half player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Brad Mayo 6 – Made one good save from Low but couldn't keep a clean sheet; vocal presence and popular with fans.
Riquelme Thompson-Jones 6.5 – Insiders impressed by the young right-back; took up intelligent positions and used the ball well.
Phil Neumann 6.5 – Flew back to challenge Sebine after the striker got in behind Robinson; strong performance.
Jack Robinson 6 – Another loud voice, as expected given his captaincy at his previous club; largely untroubled before misjudging a pass to let Sebine through.
Lee Buchanan 6.5 – Controlled a cross inside his box and played out superbly; more reserved on the left, rarely got forward in a solid defensive showing.
Tomoki Iwata 6 – Not quite as tidy on the ball as Solis but showed powers of recovery to regain possession multiple times.
Jhon Solis 7 – Got Blues playing with incisive passing; their play was generally better with the first-choice midfield after the break.
Patrick Roberts 7 – Omitted from the team sheet but took the field for the second half; brightest player before Kyogo took centre stage, carried the ball well and made things happen.
Kanya Fujimoto 7 – Got a shout from Davies for being out of position early on but didn't need telling twice; grabbed two assists late on for his compatriot Kyogo.
Scott Wright 6 – Showed off skills with a nutmeg on the left and moved infield late on to try to get on the ball.
Kyogo Furuhashi 8 – Had the ball in the net within minutes but was ruled offside; headed home late on and added a second with a tidy finish when through on goal.
Unused subs: Will O’Sullivan, Jack Quirk.
