Birmingham City midfielder Tomoki Iwata scored an FA Cup wondergoal against Newcastle United – only minutes after inflicting costly damage on a piece of pitchside equipment.
Magpies man Bruno Guimaraes sent Iwata flying into a broadcast camera in the 37th minute, with the Birmingham star tumbling down the ground, rolling over and cracking the lens with his foot.
The BBC, who broadcasted the game, cut to the camera’s viewpoint to show that it had been ruined by the clattering from Iwata. Commentator Guy Mowbray joked: “I think we might be invoicing them for that.”
By the time of the incident, fans at St Andrew’s had been treated to an all-action first period. Ethan Laird kicked things off by putting the hosts ahead inside a minute.
Joe Willock equalised midway through the half with a dubious goal which, in the absence of goal-line technology for FA Cup ties hosted by teams in the third tier or below, the linesman decided to award. The half-time punditry team comprising Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Curtis Davies and Shay Given pored over each available angle but were themselves unable to make a conclusive call.
Callum Wilson put the visitors ahead with a scrappy 26th-minute goal, before Iwata’s stunning contribution. Just three minutes after his brush with the pitchside camera, the Japanese international ran onto a bouncing ball and unleashed the full fury of his right foot from 20 yards, with the ball flying past Nick Pope in spectacular fashion.
Shearer gushed at the interval: “The way he hits it… the technique is incredible. Oh my goodness. What an incredible strike that is on the half-volley.” Former Newcastle goalkeeper Given added: “Even if Clark Kent is in goal, he’s not saving that.”
The Blues signed Iwata from Celtic for an undisclosed fee last summer. The 27-year-old only played 19 league games in last season, having previously spent time on loan with the Hoops.
Iwata’s switch to the third tier has brought him regular football, with 21 starts in 27 League One games this campaign. And following his peach against Newcastle on Saturday, he is up to six goals in all competitions.
The Blues, who count NFL legend Tom Brady among their minority shareholders, spent big money last summer in a bid to get back to the Championship. And things are looking good for manager Chris Davies, whose side sit four points clear at the top of the table with two games in hand on the chasing pack.
