FIRST TEAM
10/19/2012

Last-gasp goal snatches draw for Fürth in 3-3 thriller

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim weren't able to reward themselves for a good performance, as late goals decided the final result in a 3-3 draw with SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Having led on three different occasions through Roberto Firmino and a Joselu brace, Fürth were able to respond each time through Stieber, Prib and Sobiech, with the latter's goal coming from the final touch of the ball.

After the international break, Markus Babbel was keen to return to the good form that TSG showed before their defeat to Bayern. Kevin Volland, fresh from celebrating the German U21 side's progression to the 2013 European Championships, took his place behind Joselu up front, while 21 year old Denis Streker made his first ever appearance for Hoffenheim's senior squad in place of the suspended Daniel Williams. Hoffenheim captain Tim Wiese returned in goal after his injury spell to replace Koen Casteels and Takashi Usami was declared fit enough to start the game despite recently suffering from the flu.

The 22,150 fans inside the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena didn't have to wait long for the first chance of the game, but it was something for the travelling supporters to get excited about. A clever cutting ball from Sararer allowed Edu in behind the TSG backline, but his first touch took him wide and he wasn't able to force Wiese into a save with his wild shot. The home fans didn't have to wait much longer though for their side to burst into life. In the eighth minute, a Sebastian Rudy free kick 40 yards out found Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian lost his marker before heading the ball low between the legs of Fürth keeper Max Grün to hand TSG the lead.

Level at the break

Hoffenheim were looking confident with the ball and good passing resulted in another chance, but this time a cross finding Usami was headed over the bar. Ten minutes later, the Japanese playmaker was at it again, jinking his way into the box from the left flank, only to direct his effort straight at Grün. They were made to rue their missed chances though, five minutes before half time. A throw in for Greuther Fürth ended up with Prib on the edge of the box. The midfielder rifled the ball at goal but Wiese matched it with a good save only for the rebound to drop at the feet of Zoltan Stieber, who connected with the ball well to force it beyond the Hoffenheim keeper at the near post.

Going in 1-1 at the break will have been disappointing for Markus Babbel, but he was satisfied enough with the players' performance to send the same eleven out for the second half. There was little worth mentioning for either side going forward for the first fifteen minutes, but a sudden Fürth mistake spurred the home team into action. Max Grün's standing foot slipped as he was kicking out the ball and he ended up playing it to Kevin Volland 25 yards out. The Hoffenheim forward quickly took a shot at goal, but the Fürth keeper managed to recover in time to push the effort behind for a corner.

Late flurry of goals

Volland was involved in another TSG attack five minutes later and this one gave his side the 2-1 lead they were so desperate for. Strong determination allowed him to win the ball high up the pitch and he played a quick pass into Joselu. The Spaniard took the ball in his stride before slotting it past Grün into the bottom corner to the delight of the home fans. Five minutes before the final whistle though, Fürth found an equaliser. A long range left-footed shot from Prib was low and curling and gave Wiese no chance, levelling things again at 2-2.

Nevertheless, TSG still had enough in them to find another goal just before the 90 minute mark. A carbon copy of the pass for the second goal saw Volland brilliantly play in Joselu and, although the striker's first-time shot was saved, he beat Kleine to the rebound to prod home for a 3-2 lead. Fürth weren't about to give up there though, and launched forward in search of a third equaliser. They won a corner in the final minute of stoppage time, which even saw goalkeeper Max Grün inside the Hoffenheim penalty area. The ball in managed to find a player in green as substitute Lasse Sobiech climbed highest to head the ball into the top corner. The away side were jubilant, with even manager Mike Buskens running onto the pitch to celebrate with his team.

The goal was the last touch of the ball as the referee blew the final whistle to end a thrilling game, but one that will leave TSG feeling hard done by. Greuther Fürth can argue that a point each is deserved from the overall balance of play, but having led three times, Markus Babbel and his players will struggle to explain what went wrong. The next Bundesliga game for Hoffenheim comes next Saturday against FSV Mainz 05.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Wiese – Beck, Delpierre, Compper, Johnson – Streker, Rudy – Roberto Firmino, Volland (90' Schipplock), Usami (70' Grifo) – Joselu

SpVgg Greuther Fürth: Grün – Nehrig, Kleine, Mavraj, Schmidtgal – Sararer (80' Mikkelsen), Fürstner, Prib, Stieber (88' Sobiech) – Edu (75' Nöthe), Asamoah

Goals: 1-0 Roberto Firmino (8'), 1-1 Stieber (39'), 2-1 Joselu (67'), 2-2 Prib (84'), 3-2 Joselu (89'), 3-3 Sobiech (90+3')

Yellow cards: Stieber, Fürstner, Prib, Sararer, Kleine

Attendance: 22,150

Referee: Daniel Siebert

Match facts and statistics »

Download Now!
Print Page to top