Augsburg Deals Blow to Dortmund's Title Hopes Behind Ji Dong-Won's Double

Ji Dong-won scored twice against his former club as relegation-threatened Augsburg dealt Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga title hopes a blow with a 2-1 win on Friday.

AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) – Ji Dong-won scored twice against his former club as relegation-threatened Augsburg dealt Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga title hopes a blow with a 2-1 win on Friday.

Ji, who endured a frustrating half season at Dortmund in 2014, struck in each half to hand Lucien Favre's side only its second defeat of the season and open the door for Bayern Munich to move level on points at Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

Dortmund had two good chances with Marco Reus, returning from injury, having his shot blocked by Augsburg keeper Gregor Kobel, who also saved Manuel Akanji's header.

But a mistake from Dan-Axel Zagadou allowed Andre Hahn to find Ji, who swiped in the rebound after his first effort was blocked by the retreating Akanji.

Dortmund's Bundesliga lead is just three points ... and the club is down 1-0 to 15th-placed Augsburg 👀

(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/KYeVlYQcNH

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) March 1, 2019

Kobel then came to Augsburg's rescue before the break when he saved Jacob Bruun Larsen's shot.

Favre brought on Paco Alcacer and Raphael Guerreiro in a bid to find the equalizer with about 25 minutes remaining, but Ji made it 2-0 by chipping the ball over helpless keeper Roman Burki after a mislaid pass from Achraf Hakimi.

Ji Dong-won delivers a delicate chip and a dagger to Dortmund's title hopes with his second goal of the match

(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/rtvu0mqulz

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) March 1, 2019

Alcacer was denied by Kobel's brilliant save before breaking his seven-game goalless spell after being set up by Mario Gotze with 10 minutes remaining.

Kobel then made his eighth save against Gotze late as Augsburg moved five points ahead of Stuttgart in the relegation zone.