Supersub Schieber seals Hertha’s win

BERLIN: Julian Schieber’s injury-winner sealed Hertha Berlin’s 2-1 victory at home to newly-promoted Freiburg for a dramatic start to the hosts’ 2016-17 German League season.

Hertha were cruising to a 1-0 win at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga, thanks to Vladimir Darida’s second-half goal before the game burst into life in the final 10 minutes.

Ex-Dortmund striker Schieber came off the bench for Vedad Ibisevic with 85 minutes gone and played a key role after Freiburg drew level with a stunning header from their captain Nicolas Hoefler in the 93rd minute.

With visiting Freiburg fans still cheering, Hertha roared back as Schieber latched onto a blocked shot from Japan winger Genki Haraguchi and his crude shot rolled into the goal in the 95th minute.

“It’s a dream for any footballer to score the winning goal in front of home fans shortly before the end, even if it was a scuffed shot,” said Scheiber after netting his first goal since knee surgery in March 2015.

Blue skies over Germany saw the mercury hit 35ºC in the shade in the capital and the players were often reduced to walking pace in Berlin.

The hosts dominated possession and were rewarded with the three points after creating the better chances. — AFP