Podolski snatches draw for Cologne

Podolski snatches draw for Cologne

Published Dec. 13, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

Lukas Podolski scored a late equalizer to earn Cologne a 1-1 draw against Mainz on Tuesday in a Bundesliga game postponed because of a referee's suicide attempt.

Podolski unleashed a fierce shot from 20 meters (yards) that flew in off the right post in the 85th minute.

It was the Germany forward's 14th goal of the season.

''You can never completely stop Poldi. That's the difference,'' Mainz goalkeeper Christian Wetklo said.

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Sami Allagui put Mainz in front with header in the 70th, the Tunisia striker beating three Cologne defenders to Julian Baumgartlinger's cross.

The sides were due to meet on Nov. 19, but the game was called off at short notice when Babak Rafati was found bleeding in a hotel bathtub hours before kick off.

Cologne is now 10th, while Mainz is two places behind after its fifth game in a row unbeaten.

''It was a lucky point for us in the end. Mainz were the better team,'' Podolski said.

A defensive mix-up almost gifted Mainz a goal in the 22nd minute, when Miso Brecko headed the ball back for Michael Rensing, who was already out of his goal. Both were relieved to see the ball go wide of the unguarded net.

Cologne should have scored in the 49th, when Podolski played Mato Jajalo through, only for Wetklo to deny the Croat, and Christian Clemens to send the rebound well over the crossbar.

Wetklo produced another fantastic save in the 75th to push Podolski's fierce shot onto the bar, but there was little he could do 10 minutes later.

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