|
BERLIN, Dec. 13-- Augsburg snatched their fourth win from five games after easing 4-2 past Hoffenheim on Philipp Max's brace at the curtain raiser of the 15th round in Bundesliga on Friday. In form Augsburg ensured a bright start on home soil as the "Fuggerstadter" needed only 11 minutes to get on the scoreboards after Florian Niederlechner intercepted a clearance attempt to set up for Max, who poked home from very close range. It remained a short-lived joy for the visitors as Hoffenheim responded very well and restored parity after finishing off a combination via Sebastian Rudy whose lay up allowed Robert Sokov to rifle the ball past Augsburg goalkeeper Tomas Koubek from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner with 14 minutes played. Hoffenheim increased the pressure and kept Augsburg on the back foot but for all that the hosts were unable to take the lead as Koubek denied Ihlas Bebou from close range before the break. After the restart, Augsburg punished Hoffenheim's wastefulness in front of the goal as Kevin Akpoguma felled Niederlechner inside the box. Max stepped up and converted the subsequent penalty to wrap up his brace and to make it 2-1 on the scoreboards. The visitors gained momentum and established a two goal lead eleven minutes into the second half when Niederlechner's through ball found Fredrik Jensen, who made no mistake to overcome onrushing Hoffenheim custodian Oliver Baumann. | 
