KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Lukas Podolski has been out of favor since joining Inter Milan on loan in January but the former Arsenal forward could afford a smile after becoming Germany's third highest goalscorer Wednesday. Just when the world champion looked to be heading for a surprise defeat in its friendly against Australia, up popped substitute Podolski to grab an 81st-minute equalizer that allowed his side to escape with a 2-2 draw. The 29-year-old now has 48 international goals, behind only Miroslav Klose (71) and Gerd Mueller (68). “Lukas has great qualities and I know it,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew this week as he defended his decision to call up the experienced player. “He is always capable of making use of his potential. We are behind him.” Podolski has spent a lot of time on Inter's bench and was also a fringe player at Arsenal for the first half of the season. Loew picked him for Wednesday's game and Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Georgia but hinted his patience would not last long, saying the forward needed more playing time. It was only fitting that Podolski bailed out Germany in the stadium where he played the first of his 122 internationals in 2004. The substitute struck from close range with his favored left foot after captain Mile Jedinak had given Australia a 2-1 lead with a curling free kick from 20 meters. Earlier, Marco Reus put the Germans in front before James Troisi leveled with a bullet header. Denmark beats US Nicklas Bendtner completed his first international hat trick with an injury-time winner as Denmark beat the United States 3-2 in a friendly also Wednesday. Bendtner had equalized twice to cancel out Jozy Altidore's opener in the 19th minute and Aron Johannsson's strike in the second half before driving home Denmark's third goal in added time. “It was a bit frustrating that we had to leave the field empty-handed, especially because we lost in the last minute,” US coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “A tie would have been a fair result.” Wednesday's game was the first of several friendlies for the US ahead of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The team will play Switzerland, the Netherlands and World Cup holder Germany. Nigeria loses to Uganda Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama's 100th international appearance was spoiled as Uganda clinched a late 1-0 win in their friendly. Farouk Miya gave the East Africans a surprise victory in Uyo after Enyeama parried but couldn't keep out his 81st-minute shot. Uganda was only a late replacement for Bolivia, which pulled out of the game over fears of an attack by Nigeria's Boko Haram. Also on the first night of a week of African friendlies, South Africa beat Swaziland 3-1 after coming to life in the second half. Gabon beat Mali 4-3 in a thriller in France as two goals from Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned the game around after Mali led twice. In other African friendlies, Botswana beat Lesotho 2-0, Mauritius and Burundi drew 2-2, and Cameroon won 1-0 in Indonesia. — Agencies
