LONDON: Substitute Lukas Podolski scored late to rescue a 2-2 draw for World Cup holders Germany against Asian champions Australia on Wednesday while in another friendly Nicklas Bendtner scored his first international hat-trick as Denmark beat the United States 3-2.

Scotland needed a winning goal five minutes from time from another supersub, Christophe Berra, to edge Northern Ireland 1-0 in another colourful friendly but Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s 100th international appearance was spoiled as Uganda clinched a late 1-0 win.

Podolski swept in a cross from fellow substitute Andre Schuerrle for an 81st-minute equaliser, his 48th goal for his country, to save Germany’s blushes in an entertaining game in Kaiserslautern.

Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak had made up for gifting Germany the lead by putting his side 2-1 up with a brilliant curling free kick in the 50th minute. Earlier, Marco Reus gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage before James Troisi levelled.

Bendtner scored twice in seven minutes, including a last-gasp winner, as Denmark came from behind to beat the US in Aarhus.

Jozy Altidore gave the US a 19th-minute lead with a powerful volley from a tight angle, before Bendtner tapped home from close range to equalise for Denmark shortly after the half-hour mark.

Altidore then set up Aron Johannsson in the 66th but Ben­dtner tied the score for the hosts in the 83rd and got the winner in the first minute of stoppage time.

Scotland dominated from start to finish in Glasgow and were let down by poor finishing from strikers Shaun Maloney and Steven Fletcher until defender Berra nodded in a corner from Matt Ritchie in the 85th minute.

Uganda turned party-poopers with Farouk Miya giving them a surprise victory in Uyo after Enyeama, the second Nigerian after retired former Everton defender Joseph Yobo to make 100 appearances for the Super Eagles, couldn’t keep out his 81st-minute shot. South Africa, who host Nigeria on Sunday in another friendly, warmed up with a predictable 3-1 away victory over neighbours Swaziland in Lobamba while two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Gabon a thrilling 4-3 win over Mali in northern French city Beauvais.

In other friendlies on Wednesday, Burundi equalised twice to draw 2-2 in Mauritius, Botswana beat Lesotho 2-0 and Cameroon won 1-0 in Indonesia.

Results:

Indonesia 0 ........... Cameroon 1
Scotland 1 ........... Northern Ireland 0
Germany 2 ........... Australia 2
Denmark 3 ........... United States 2
Gabon 4 ........... Mali 3
Swaziland 1 ........... South Africa 3
Botswana 2 ........... Lesotho 0
Mauritius 2 ........... Burundi 2
Nigeria 0 ........... Uganda 1

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2015

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