Bundesliga Matchay 22 Opener - Hoffenheim and Mainz Draw in Mediocre match

Matchday 22 didn't open with the bang many had hoped for.  Both Mainz and Hoffenheim needed a win, yet both teams seemed to be content with a 1-1 draw.

Both goals in the first half were scored by Mainz.  The first in the ninth minute when Nikolce Noveski transported the ball past Christian Wetklo when he touched the ball somewhat unlucky after a pass from Hoffenheim's Roberto Fimino into the five meter area.  Wetklo had no chance.  While Hoffenheim was contend to close up its rear during the first half, Mainz had difficulty with penetrating the Hoffenheim defence.

In the 29th minute Radovlak Zabavnik passed the ball sharp into the five meter area, where Mohamed Zidan moved onto the ball and pushed it into the net for the equalizer.  This was Zidan's third gaol in as many matches with Mainz.

The second half saw some offensive play by both sides, but overall it was a meek second half.  The final result of 1-1 is fully justified.

Tomorrow the Bayern, Dortmund and Glabach will meet to contend for the top spot.  Only five points separate the top four of the league with another eight points to fifth place.  Schalke, presently holding fourth spot will not play until Sunday.

17.02.12,20.30	1899 Hoffenheim	-	FSV Mainz 05	1-1
18.02.12,15.30	1. FC Nürnberg	-	1. FC Köln	2-1
18.02.12,15.30	Kaiserslautern	-	Mönchengladbach	1-2
18.02.12,15.30	Hertha BSC Berlin	-	Borussia Dortmund	0-1
18.02.12,15.30	Bayer Leverkusen	-	FC Augsburg	4-1
18.02.12,15.30	Hamburger SV	-	Werder Bremen	1-3
18.02.12,18.30	SC Freiburg	-	Bayern München	0-0
19.02.12,15.30	Schalke 04	-	VfL Wolfsburg	(-:-)
19.02.12,17.30	Hannover 96	-	VfB Stuttgart	(-:-)

Bundesliga Table updated February 18th
                                                             GP     W    D    L    GF/A    Pts 
1Borussia Dortmund                             22     15    4    3      47:14    49
2Borussia Mönchengladbach                22     14    4    4      36:13    46   
3Bayern München                                 22     14    3    5      49:14    45
4Schalke 04                                           21     13    2    6      46:28    41
5Werder Bremen                                   22      10     6    6     37:36    36
6Bayer Leverkusen                               22       9     7    6      31:29    34
7Hannover 96                                        21       7   10    4     23:25    31
8VfL Wolfsburg                                     21       8     3  10     27:38    27
9VfB Stuttgart                                        21       7     5    9     31:28   26
101899 Hoffenheim                                22       6      8   8    24:26    26
11Hamburger SV                                    22       6     8    8    27:37    26
121. FC Nürnberg                                   22       7      4  11    21:32    25
12FSV Mainz 05                                     22      5      9    8    30:36    24
131. FC Köln                                          22       7      3  12    30:42    24
13FSV Mainz 05                                     22      5      9    8    30:36    24
15Hertha BSC Berlin                              22       4      8  10    25:37   20
161. FC Kaiserslautern                            22       3      9  10   16:28   18
17FC Augsburg                                       22        3      9  10  20:37    18
18SC Freiburg                                         22        4      5  13   27:47   18