Hoffenheim held by 10-man Crystal Palace as Kamada nets late leveller

Christian Ilzer’s men were pegged back late as Crystal Palace found a last-gasp goal to salvage a 1-1 draw in South London.

TSG Hoffenheim were stripped of a precious European win on the road as Crystal Palace battled to a 1-1 draw this evening. Alexander Prass netted a first-half goal that would be undone by former Eintracht Frankfurt talent Daichi Kamada deep into injury time.

In what would be a really entertaining first-half with strong spells for both teams, TSG Hoffenheim opened the scoring inside 7 minutes. A blistering counterattack from the Sinsheim outfit carved out space for an in-form Alexander Prass to convert with his left peg. 

The Austrian’s shot had just enough power on it to squirm beneath Dean Henderson after Andrej Kramaric and Tim Lemperle initiated the break. Crystal Palace’s shot-stopper made amends minutes later, pushing a dangerous Kramaric shot away to safety. 

The Londoners had their own share of decent chances. Notably, one created by Yeremy Pino who teed up ex-Frankfurt star Daichi Kamada, steering his shot wide. Oliver Baumann was also alert to a Jean-Philippe Mateta effort, while Henderson kept Wouter Burger at bay.

Following a rather tame spell in the game after the break, Palace coach Pierre Sage called upon Eddie Nketiah and Oscar Mingueza with 35 minutes remaining. Several yellow cards followed as the hosts grew frustrated by their inability to break down Hoffenheim’s defence.

Suddenly, Baumann was thrust right back into the action, smothering Pino from a tight angle. Adam Daghim and Catejan Lenz offered fresh legs for Ilzer’s side. They too would soon have the numerical advantage when Adam Wharton was sent off a second bookable offence. 

The midfielder’s elbow connected with Burger, leaving referee Catalin Popa with no option. Palace desperately pushed for an equaliser late on, and one they would manage. Kamada squeezing an injury-time shot through bodies and the legs of Baumann to secure a 1-1 draw.