with massive thanks to Dan from Blues Middle East

Blues lost their opening game in the Sheik Hamdan Tournament 2-1 to Al-Ahli of Dubai.

Birmingham City’s opening goal was scored by eighteen year old Josh Hawker, whose dad Phil played for the Blues in the early eighties.

Al-Ahli equalised against the run of play from a corner to make it 1-1 at half time, and got the winner in the second half from a free kick given away by Blues after their keeper made a rash foul outside the box.

Pic courtesy Blues Middle East

The match was played in front of about 100 people, including a contingent from the Blues Middle East supporters club who kindly gave me the pic of the squad for this article. Blues next game is against French Ligue 2 side RC Lens on Monday.

Tags: Blues Academy, Josh Hawker