Kenyan winger fails to help FC Koln get all three points against Hoffenheim

STARS ABROAD Kenyan winger fails to help FC Koln get all three points against Hoffenheim

Mark Kinyanjui 11:30 - 12.02.2024

Maina came on as a 58th minute substitute but could not help Koln hold on to their lead at Hoffenheim.

Harambee Stars prospect Linton Maina featured but could not help FC Koln get all the three points against Hoffenheim, with the match ending 1-1 in a Bundesliga clash played on Sunday.

Andrej Kramarić's strike canceled out a Max Finkgräfe freekick to keep Koln in 16th place and in the relegation playoff place after 21 games.

Maina came on as a substitute in the 58th minute but could not get going. He attempted four out of five accurate passes and completed none of his three attempted dribbles. He also attempted four crosses, none of which successfully found the target.

The first half passed with relatively little goalmouth action in Sinsheim. There was little to separate the teams in terms of chances with four apiece at the interval. 

The first half in Sinsheim saw minimal goal-scoring action, with both teams having four chances each by halftime. 

Hoffenheim came closest to breaking the deadlock during this period, with Ihlas Bebou curling wide in the 14th minute and Wout Weghorst unable to convert Robert Skov's cross.

After the break, Hoffenheim resumed their attacking efforts, with Bebou forcing another save from Marvin Schwäbe.

Both teams made several changes, including the introduction of the initially benched Kramarić alongside Stach. Koln also brought in the fleet-footed Maina, replacing Kainz.

In the 79th minute, it seemed that Koln would secure victory when youngster Max Finkgräfe scored with a spectacular 25-meter freekick over the wall and beyond Oliver Baumann's fingertips. 

However, on the brink of defeat, the hosts responded swiftly to equalize at 1-1. Andrej Kramarić, displaying his usual composure, guided the ball home with the help of the right post.

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