Intro:

Club Brugge moved up to second place in the Belgian Pro League on Sunday (4th March), following a narrow 1-0 home win over Standard Liege.

26 year-old Israeli international Lior Refaelov got the only goal of the game in the 12th minute as Brugge held on against a determined Standard outfit.

Script:

Club Brugge played host to Standard Liege at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Sunday, with both sides jockeying for position in the top six of the Belgian Pro League.

Brugge came into the game looking for revenge following a 2-1 reverse in Liege back in November, and took the lead in the 12th minute.

Victor Vazquez swung in a free kick and Lior Refaelov reacted quickest to the bouncing ball to thrash it past Standard 'keeper Sinan Bolat.

The home side might have gone two up four minutes later.

Again Vazquez was involved, threading the ball through for Joseph Akpala to run on to, Rami
Gershon put in a strong tackle and Sebastien Pocognoli also had to be alert to deny Carl Hoefkens on the follow-up.

After weathering that storm, Standard began to look more dangerous and were a ball's width away from an equaliser in the 35th minute.

Tologese international Serge Gakpe, on-loan from Nantes, ran clear and flicked the ball past home 'keeper Bojan Jorgacevic, but Michael Almeback sprinted back to clear the ball off the line.

In the second half, the visitors dominated possession, but couldn't find their touch in front of goal.

The closest they came was in the 59th minute when the Brugge defence failed to clear Cyriac's cross and William Vainqueur's fierce drive flashed wide of a post.

Brugge hung on for the win, one that takes them up to second in the table, five points behind leaders Anderlecht with two games left before the play-offs.

Standard Liege remain fifth, ahead of upcoming games against OH Leuven and Mechelen.