Hertha earns 1-1 draw at Hannover in Bundesliga

BERLIN (AP) Hertha Berlin substitute Ronny came on with 10 minutes remaining to rescue a 1-1 draw for his side at Hannover in the Bundesliga on Friday.

The Brazilian midfielder blasted an unstoppable free kick from the edge of the area with his first touch of the game, sending the ball swerving into the top left corner in the 81st minute.

"Unbelievable goal," said Hertha general manager Michael Preetz.

Hannover opened the scoring against the run of play through Christian Schulz in the 23rd, when Hajime Hosogai's attempted clearance after a corner landed straight at his feet.

Hertha pushed for an equalizer after the break, yet failed to create any clear opportunities until Anis Ben-Hatira struck the post in the 58th.

Adrian Ramos should have scored but shot narrowly wide, before Ronny finally produced a deserved equalizer.

"There was probably a bit of frustration in that," Hertha coach Jos Luhukay said. "He started three games and wasn't so fortunate. Then he comes on and scores. Thank God."

Hertha then had goalkeeper Thomas Kraft to thank for saving Artur Sobiech's point-blank effort in the last minute.

Hannover striker Didier Ya Konan was taken to a hospital with a severe-looking left ankle injury sustained in a tussle before halftime.

"It was a bitter blow for us. For the players to see that at halftime didn't do our prospects any good in the second half," said Hannover coach Mirko Slomka. "Still, you have to say we were bad in the second half. The Berliners had really good chances. We're lucky to get the point."

Hannover had been bidding to win five games in a row at home for the first time.