Bundesliga match report: Augsburg v Mainz

Augsburg's hopes of playing in Europe next season suffered a setback on Saturday as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Mainz.

Shinji Okazaki put the visitors in front against the run of play and Augsburg were unable to make the most of their superiority, falling to a second goal from Koo Ja-cheol late on.

Defeat means Augsburg now only have a two-point advantage over seventh-placed Hoffenheim with nine games of the season to go.

Having declared their battle for survival a success, Augsburg were looking to make this their most successful season in history by clinching a place in Europe, and they started with that clear intent.

They attacked with gusto, Tobias Werner looking lively in leading their line and Daniel Baier testing Loris Karius from long range.

Mainz took every chance they had to attack themselves and after delivering a few warnings, they took the lead in the 32nd minute.

Baier gave away possession cheaply and Pablo de Blasis set up Okazaki to pick his spot in the far corner of Marwin Hitz's goal.

Baier nearly levelled immediately but missed the target with his shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Halil Altintop went a little closer from 25 yards before missing the target to the left with his next effort, before Raul Bobadilla wasted their best chance of the first half with just Karius to beat on the stroke of half-time.

Bobadilla spurned another good chance early in the second half as the Bavarians searched for a route back into the game.

Shawn Parker nearly found an equaliser for Augsburg in the 82nd minute, but Karius stretched to make a fine save to keep Mainz in front.

It was then game over for Augsburg when Koo scored against his former club in the 89th minute, hammering an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net after Hitz had denied Daniel Brosinski.