Korea’s Koo claims first Bundesliga hat-trick

Berlin (AFP) – South Korea’s Koo Ja-Cheol scored his first hat-trick in Germany’s top flight on Saturday but his Augsburg team threw away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Bayer Leverkusen.

Koo, who captained South Korea at the 2014 World Cup, is in his sixth season in Germany, after joining Wolfsburg from K-League side Jeju United in 2010 before playing a season at Mainz, then signing for Augsburg.

The 27-year-old put Augsburg ahead with five minutes gone when he fired home after Alexander Esswein’s shot had hit the post.

The Korean hit his second just before the break when he was again in the right place at the right time to bang in after striker Alfred Finnbogason had hit the post on 44 minutes.

Koo saved his best for last when the attacking midfielder put in a superb finish after Finnbogason had chested down a cross on 58 minutes.

It put Augsburg in pole position for their first win over Leverkusen at the tenth attempt, but Bayer came roaring back with three goals in the last 10 minutes.

Germany winger Karim Bellarabi fired home before Dutch defender Paul Verhaegh’s own goal on 80 minutes set up a tense finale.

Hakan Calhanoglu converted a 92nd-minute spot-kick to rescue a point for Leverkusen after Jeffrey Gouweleeuw was sent off for a handball in the box.

Koo was a dejected figure at the WWK Arena on the final whistle as his side remain just two points from the relegation zone.