Albion are through to the knockout stage of the Premier League International Cup despite a 1-0 defeat to Sparta Prague on Wednesday night.
Having already beaten Feyenoord and Monaco, as well as securing a point against PSV, Shannon Ruth’s team needed to avoid a heavy defeat in order to qualify for the next phase.
Both teams lacked the cut and thrust to open the other up in the first half, with Adam Karabec having the best opportunity for the Czech side when his low drive from inside the box was well saved by Fynn Talley at his near-post.
Cam Peupion managed to get on the end of a through ball but with goalkeeper Vojtech Vorel rushing off his line, the Aussie forward was forced to take his effort first time and fired into the leg of the outstretched keeper.
Daniel Kastanek broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half as he rose highest in the Albion box to head home from Karabec’s free-kick on the left.
The centre-back showed his defensive instincts just a few moments later as Sam Packham’s wonderful ball over the top was flicked over Vorel by Peupion, but with the ball heading in, Kastanek had read the danger and headed behind for a corner.
Peupion was a persistent threat to the Sparta backline but his good work to get in behind went unrewarded after he took it past Vorel, only to see his cross back across goal from a very tight angle cleared.
Sparta still threatened though and it was only the outstretched boot of Talley to send an effort around the post that kept Albion in it with 15 minutes to play.
Despite the defeat, Albion can now look forward to the knockout phase of the competition.
With the competition split into the three groups of eight, the top two teams from each group qualify, while the two best third-placed teams also earn a place in the next round – with Albion one of these teams.
Albion line-up: Talley, Nilsson, Jackson, Kavanagh, Packham, Samuels, Hinchy (Everitt 77), Chouchane, Barrington (O’Mahony 61), Mullins (Ifill 77), Peupion.
Unused subs: Cahill, Wilson, Duffus, Shann, Reid.