Shuto Machino helped Holstein Kiel secure their first ever point in the Bundesliga. - © IMAGO/Tim Rehbein/RHR-FOTO
Shuto Machino helped Holstein Kiel secure their first ever point in the Bundesliga. - © IMAGO/Tim Rehbein/RHR-FOTO
bundesliga

Shuto Machino stars as Holstein Kiel register their first ever point in the Bundesliga

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Shuto Machino's late equaliser saw Holstein Kiel draw 2-2 in a thrilling match away to VfL Bochum, which secured them their first ever point in the Bundesliga, following their historic promotion last season.

The wait is finally over. On Matchday, Holstein Kiel recorded their first ever point in the Bundesliga.

The goals came from Benedikt Pichler and Shuto Machino in a thrilling 2-2 draw away to VfL Bochum 1848, ensuring that this result will live long in the memory for the club from Schleswig-Holstein. 

Benedikt Pichler opened the scoring in the 15th minute - IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Buriakov

Having lost their opening three games, Kiel fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst with full time approaching and their side 2-1 down.

But it was Machino coming on in the 79th minute who would finally make the breakthrough. A cross from Skrzybski to the near post was met by Japanese, who calmly guided the ball past Patrick Drewes in the Bochum goal. Scoring in the 89th minute to equalise and grab your club its first ever Bundesliga point is doing it in some style!

And yet, some may feel that the three points were there for the taking. Kiel had a higher xG (2.1 to Bochum's 0.85), covered more distance and enjoyed 54% of the possession. 

Kiel captain Lewis Holtby salutes his team's supporters after the historic draw against Bochum. - IMAGO/Julian Meusel / SVEN SIMON

They were also the team that scored the most goals from set pieces in the Bundesliga 2 last season, scoring 21 times, with 10 coming from corners. Against Bochum, they had 25 set pieces (20 free-kicks and 5 corners), and yet both of their goals came from open play.

If they can capitalise on set pieces going forward, as they did last season, there should be a few more points in the top flight for The Storks.