Hashemian plays 25 minutes as Bremen held by Bochum

With only one win in their last five games coming into this fixture, and after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Panathinaikos in the Champions League in midweek, Bremen were hopeful of an upturn in fortunes.

But despite dominating the match from start to finish Thomas Schaaf's side were unable to clinch three points, and finished a man down as Mezut Ozil received a straight red card in the final 10 minutes.

Bochum came into the tie in the relegation zone and having lost five of their last seven home games against Bremen.

That record looked like being extended to six defeats as Bremen had a number of good chances early on, and Claudio Pizarro felt he should have had a penalty in the seventh minute.

Bochum showed some attacking threat, Danny Fuchs' header inches wide after 14 minutes sending out a warning to the visitors.

But despite the odd chance for the hosts Bremen still looked the most likely to score, with Torsten Frings in particular looking dangerous.

He had the best opportunity of the first half when found himself alone in the box, but he failed to find the target.

In the second half Frings continued to control proceedings. He won a free-kick just after the hour mark which Naldo curled on to the crossbar from 25 yards out.

But that was as close as the visitors came, and with six minutes remaining their frustration told when Ozil was given his marching orders for stamping on Thomasz Zdebel's leg.