Kiwis Abroad: European run over for Wood

Chris Wood’s run in continental competition has ended despite Birmingham City triumphing 1-0 at home over Slovenian champions NK Maribor in the final match day of the UEFA Europa League.

December 16, 2011

AUCKLAND – Chris Wood’s run in continental competition has ended despite Birmingham City triumphing 1-0 at home over Slovenian champions NK Maribor in the final match day of the UEFA Europa League.

The All White striker was an unused substitute in the win, and with Club Brugge and SC Braga playing out a 1-1 draw in the other Group H tie in Belgium, it is that pair that will progress to the knockout stages of the competition.

Birmingham finished third in the group, one point adrift of the qualifiers.  On a personal level, Wood scored twice in the Blues European campaign, once in the playoff tie with CD Nacional of Portugal and a stoppage time winner against Club Brugge in Belgium.

The former Waikato FC frontman has also scored nine times in the Championship to sit third on the golden boot table.

Birmingham is in league action again on Monday (UK time) with a mid-table match away at Crystal Palace.