Berlin, Jan 20 (IANS) Shinji Kagawa’s equaliser helped Dortmund to hijack a 1-1 draw from Berlin in the opener of the 19th round of German Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund’s three-game winless run continues as the “BVB” wasted several opportunities to secure all three points from Hertha Berlin on Friday, reports Xinhua news agency.

The “Black and Yellows” took the reins from the kick off and controlled the ball while the hosts defended deep to give the visitors a hard time establishing their style of play.

Hence, goal-scoring opportunities remained a rare occurrence within the first half. The spectators at Berlin Olympia stadium had to wait until the 14th minute before Kagawa headed just wide of the target to ensure the first chance of the game.

The hosts came to their first chance at the half-hour mark when Niklas Stark nodded past Dortmund’s goal.

After the restart, Hertha Berlin grabbed a bright start against the run of the game as Davie Selke broke the deadlock after tapping home Valentino Lazaro’s low square pass into the box in the 46th minute.

Dortmund were shocked but they regrouped and increased the pressure. Christian Pulisic tested Berlin goalkeeper Thomas Kraft in the 56th minute even as Kagawa squandered another chance from close range three minutes later.

Berlin had enough room to set up counter attacks but Salomon Kalou wasted a golden chance to double the lead after he failed to overcome custodian Roman Buerki following a one-on-one.

However, the “BVB” remained on the front foot and got rewarded with 71 minutes into the game as Shinji Kagawa headed home Jadon Sancho’s cross to restore parity from close range.

Peter Stoeger’s men dominated the closing period but his men were unable to make the most of their chances. Sancho’s curl went just wide before Alexander Isak rattled the woodwork in the closing period.

With the result, Dortmund climb from the 4th to 3rd place for now while Berlin remained on the 11th position.

On Saturday, runner up Leipzig travel to Freiburg, Hoffenheim host Bayer Leverkusen, Monchengladbach see Augsburg, Mainz take on newly promoted Stuttgart, Wolfsburg see Frankfurt and Hamburg clash with bottom side Cologne.

–IANS
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