Awoniyi’s Own-Goal Cost Union Berlin three points. It was a bad day at the office for the Super Eagles striker as the Iron Ones conceded their third straight loss on the road.
Super Eagles and Union Berlin striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, cost Union Berlin three points as he mistakenly headed the ball past his own goalkeeper, while trying to defend a corner-kick, in the first half of Saturday’s loss to Wolfsburg.
The 24-year-old scored an unfortunate own-goal which condemned his side to a loss away at Wolfsburg. Union Berlin were not short of chances but could not equalize against their hosts.
There were early warning signs when Wolfsburg midfielder Xaver Schlager’s shot cannoned off the crossbar. Union Berlin sat up after the early scare and came close to scoring, but Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels parried Dominique Heintz’s shot expertly.
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi recently ended a goal drought when he scored against Mainz in his last game. However, this time, the striker found the back of the wrong net, in the 24th minute after heading in a Maximilian Arnold corner. The visitors pressed their hosts relentlessly in the first half but could not find their way past Wolfsburg defender John Brooks.
Awoniyi came into the second half looking energized, and he looked to take the game to Wolfsburg. The striker nearly redeemed himself when he stole the ball from Arnold before setting up teammate Sheraldo Becker, who scored a good finish.
Union Berlin fans were left bemused when the referee chalked off the goal for an alleged foul by Awoniyi. Once again, Awoniyi was in the thick of things when he forced a great save from Casteels when he headed a driven cross on target.
The former Liverpool player did not finish the match after being replaced by Andreas Voglsammer in the 74th minute. The score remained the same despite Union’s desperate charges for an equalizer.
Union Berlin will host Stuttgart in their next Bundesliga fixture on March 12.
