American defender Joe Scally on Friday scored a late goal with a long-range strike to salvage a 2-2 draw for Borussia Moenchengladbach against visiting FSV Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.
’Gladbach were heading for yet another home loss after Aymen Barkok scored for the visitors, but Scally went past one defender and let fly with a fierce shot from distance that sent the ball inside the far post in the 88th minute.
“I knew I was shooting it no matter what when I got it, but when I saw the ’goalie touch it with his hand, I thought it went over the net, but yeah, it’s a nice goal,” Scally said.
Photo: AP
’Gladbach had previously lost all three home games in the Bundesliga — to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Leipzig.
Their first half summarized their frustrating start to the season.
’Gladbach dominated the early stages and deservedly took the lead in the 22nd minute when Franck Honorat crossed for Florian Neuhaus to head in the opener, but Brajan Gruda equalized with a finish inside the top corner almost immediately afterward.
It was the 19-year-old’s first Bundesliga goal and it came against the run of play for Mainz.
Mainz needed goalkeeper Robin Zentner to stop Nathan Ngoumou then Ko Itakura from the resultant corner.
Barkok missed a great chance for Mainz when he fired straight at ’keeper Moritz Nicolas in the 72nd minute, but atoned by holding off Rocco Reitz’s challenge to score three minutes later.
Scally then saved ’Gladbach from yet another home defeat.
“It was a difficult game for us. We of course wanted to win, but to get the 2-2 at the end was very important,” Scally said.
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