BERLIN, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hamburg were held to 1-1 draw at
Nuremberg owing to the leveller by Tomas Pekhart while Augsburg
defeated Dusseldorf 3-2 giving away a 3-0 lead to close the 18th
round of German Bundesliga on Sunday.
Nuremberg's Tomas Pekhart snatched Hamburg three points on home
soil thanks to his equaliser at the 75th minute. The hosts started
highly motivated against the "Hanseaten" but as soon as the match
progressed the visitors took the reins.
Hamburg lurked for holes inside Nuremberg's defence but yet they
had difficulties to overcome the home sides bulwark. Thus both
goalkeepers had little to do during the first half due to the lack
of creativity by both teams.
With beginning of the second half Hamburg dictated the pace on
the pitch as Dutchmen Rafael van der Vaart and Artjoms Rudnevs
approached Nuremberg's goal dangerously.
However, with 70 minutes into the match Dennis Aogo had set up
with a cross for Artjoms Rudnevs, who won the air battle against
Nuremberg's Javier Pinola, to nod home from very close range.
The host remained unimpressed and responded well only five
minutes later when Tomas Pekhart met Timo Gebharts diagonal pass
inside the box to slot home from penalty area to restore
parity.
Nonetheless, Nuremberg maintained their eight-point cushion to
the relegation play off spot with 21 points whereas Hamburg occupy
a disappointing 9th place with 25 points.
At the other match on Sunday, Augsburg wrapped their second win
of the season following their 3-2 win over Dusseldorf. Sascha
Molders brace and Ja Cheol Koos goal pioneered the way for the win
even though Dusseldorf's Stefan Reisinger reduced the deficit with
two consolation goals to ensure a thrilling closing period.
In the dying minutes of the match Reisinger again found the back
of the net but referee Manuel Graefe denied the equalizer because
of a supposed foregone foul play.
Despite the win Augsburg remain in the drop zone on 17th
position, with only 12 points out of 18 matches, meanwhile newly
promoted Dusseldorf stays on 14th position with 21 points.
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