10-man Union go third despite Bochum stalemate

BeSoccer 2 years ago 1.1k
Union took the lead late in the first half thanks to a Juranovic free-kick. AFP

Union Berlin remain on course for a first-ever Champions League qualification, reclaiming third in the Bundesliga with a 1-1 home draw against Bochum on Sunday.

Union took the lead late in the first half thanks to a Josip Juranovic free-kick, but Bochum's Kevin Stoeger equalised from the spot early in the second.

Union were reduced to 10 men shortly after the penalty but were the more dangerous side in the closing stages, forward Kevin Behrens going agonisingly close to a winner with five minutes remaining.

Despite dropping points, Union leapfrogged RB Leipzig who won 3-2 at home against Augsburg on Saturday to move back to third. Free-kick specialists Union opened the scoring in typical fashion in first-half injury time.

Croatia international Juranovic hit a perfectly weighted free kick between a gap in the wall and past 'keeper Manu Riemann, his fourth goal since arriving from Celtic in January.

Bochum grabbed control of the fixture in a ten-minute period early in the second half, starting with a seemingly harmless tactical yellow card for Union's Paul Jaeckel after 50 minutes.

Union's Aissa Laidouni swept Ivan Ordets' legs out from under him in the penalty box shortly after, with Stoeger blasting the equaliser straight down the middle from the spot.

Five minutes later, Jaeckel picked up a second yellow for a foul on Patrick Osterhage, reducing the home side to ten men. Union's Behrens' had a 64th-minute goal chalked off for offside.

The big forward had another golden chance with five minutes to go when Sheraldo Becker found him unmarked in front of goal, but he headed just wideBochum, who have claimed eight points from their past five matches, go three points clear of the relegation places with the draw.

Mentioned in the news story

Bundesliga
Union Berlin
VfL Bochum
Kevin Stöger
J. Juranović