Late goals save Grasshoppers’ hopes
Grasshoppers Zurich just about kept their championship hopes alive on Wednesday, after snatching an unlikely 3-3 draw in Basel with two goals in injury time.
One day after league leaders St Gallen slipped up with a home draw against Servette Geneva, Grasshoppers seemed set to take full advantage as Wednesday’s match got underway.
But after taking a tenth minute lead through young midfielder Ricardo Cabanas, the Zurich side were brought back to earth as Basel took control with a first half equaliser from Hervé Tum and two second half goals courtesy of Felix Magro.
With 90 minutes showing on the scoreboard, Grasshoppers appeared to have blown their big chance. Then came the fightback.
In the 91st minute Uruguayan revelation Richard Nunez grabbed what appeared to be a consolation goal for Hans-Peter Zaugg’s team. Then in the 92nd minute Senegalese striker Henri Camara turned consolation into material advantage, firing in a third Grasshoppers goal and stealing what could be a vital point for the club.
Following their respective draws, St Gallen and Grasshoppers remain level at the top of the table with 40 points apiece. Thanks to another result on Wednesday, though, the two main challengers for the title are no longer alone.
A 2-1 away win over Grasshoppers’ city rivals FC Zurich has lifted winter champions Lugano to within two points of the leaders, with a gripping finish to the season now guaranteed.
St Gallen can at least reflect that the defence of their title remains in their own hands. Their last two matches involve one game away and one at home – the first against Lugano, the second against Grasshoppers.
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