Hertha BSC Berlin 1 : 3 Mainz - Okazaki bags brace in Mainz victory

Posted Saturday, September 13, 2014 by PA

Shinji Okazaki became the Bundesliga's all-time most prolific Japanese goalscorer as Mainz celebrated their first win of the season at the sixth attempt with a 3-1 victory away to Hertha Berlin.

Okazaki started and finished the scoring with former Hertha forward Sami Allagui also on target for Kasper Hjulmand's men.

Ronny made things interesting from the penalty spot five minutes from time, but Okazaki struck his 28th Bundesliga goal to move two clear of compatriot Yasuhiko Okudera, who amassed 26 during his time in Germany.

Okazaki needed 36 minutes of the game to break that record and put Mainz in front after Ja-Cheol Koo's shot was pushed across goal to him by Thomas Kraft.

The rest of the first half saw few chances at either end with neither side really able to get into gear, and some of the home fans vented their frustration as the teams went in at the break.

Hertha improved at the start of the second half, albeit without creating any chances against a well-drilled Mainz defence who restricted them to distance shots.

With 20 minutes to go, Allagui delivered on Hertha coach Jos Luhukay's pre-match prediction by scoring against his former club.

The player, who is on loan at Mainz this season from Hertha, poached his first goal for his new employers, tucking in Junior Diaz's cross unmarked at the far post.

The hosts were gifted a route back into the game five minutes from time when Anis Ben-Hatira's shot hit the arm of Niko Bungert inside the penalty area.

Ronny converted the spot-kick and Hertha sent everybody forward for the final five with Mainz swelling their ranks at the back in response.

On the break, Hjulmand's men then sealed victory in stoppage time with Yunus Malli bursting into the penalty area and sending the ball across to Okazaki, who scored one of the easiest of his 28 Bundesliga goals from close range.