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Frankfurt and Nuremberg draw 1-1 in Bundesliga promotion play-off

Xinhua, May 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Nuremberg grabbed a 1-1 draw in Frankfurt at the first leg of the promotion play-off game on Thursday.

After completing the season on the 16th place Frankfurt have to encounter third-placed Nuremberg from the second division to battle for a spot in Germany' s top flight.

Eintracht Frankfurt took the reins from the kick-off whereas lower league side Nuremberg defended deep to lurk for counter attack opportunities.

However, the hosts were unable to take advantage on their opportunities as Nuremberg custodian Raphael Schaefer defused Stefan Aigner' s shot on target from sharp angel in the opening period before Haris Seferovic pulled wide from 15 meters in the 41st minute.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock against the run of the game after Marco Russ' own goal following a free kick from Nuremberg' s Sebastian Kerk granted the 1-0 lead minutes before the half time.

After the restart, Frankfurt piled on the pace to increase the pressure on Nuremberg. The host' s efforts paid off as Mijat Gacinovic made use of a cross from Timothy Chandler to restore parity with 65 minutes into the game.

Niko Kovac' s men pressed for the second goal but neither Chandler' s header nor Seferovic' s shot on target ensured the lead in the closing period.

"We dominated the match but we were unable to overcome Nuremberg' s bulwark for more than once," Frankfurt' s chairman Heribert Bruchhagen said.

With the result, Nuremberg would promote with a goalless draw while Frankfurt need a win or a draw, higher than a 1-1, to maintain their first division status for next season.

The second leg of the promotion play-off will be held in Nuremberg on Monday. Endit