BERLIN: Arminia Bielefeld’s Bundesliga survival remains in the balance after losing to a late George Bello own goal in a 2-1 defeat at Bochum on Friday.

The result leaves Bielefeld two points adrift of VfB Stuttgart in the play-off spot, with just one game left to play.

Bielefeld came into the game without a win in their previous nine league outings and Bochum took the lead when Sebastian Polter headed in a cross from Milos Pantovic in the 22nd minute.

Bielefeld equalised against the run of play in the 35th when Gonzalo Castro curled a free-kick from the right deep towards the back post, where Joakim Nilsson thundered home a header.

Bielefeld looked on course to return with a potentially priceless point, only to end up losing in heartbreaking fashion when the ball ricocheted off Bello and into the net after goalkeeper Stefan Ortega had kept out a close range shot from Simon Zoller.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2022