Mario Gomez scored twice on his competitive debut for Bayern Munich to help them to a 3-1 win against sixth division SpVgg Neckarelz in the German Cup on Sunday.
Neckarelz, who switched the tie to Hoffenheim and were rewarded with a bumper 30,000 crowd, held the 14-time Cup winners for 50 minutes, although they were helped by Bayern’s dreadful first-half finishing.
Gomez, who moved from VfB Stuttgart in May, broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with a shot that went in off both posts from Bastian Schweinsteiger’s pass. His second came from a penalty awarded for handball six minutes later.
PHOTO: AFP
Despite having Christian Fickert sent off for a second bookable offense, the part-timers pulled one back through Heiko Throm with 10 minutes left, before Hamit Altintop restored Bayern’s two-goal lead and sent them into the second round.
The first round of the cup is a potential minefield for Bundesliga clubs as the seeding system pits them away to lower league teams in one-leg ties.
Hannover 96 became the second top flight side to go out when they lost 3-1 at fourth division Eintracht Trier.
Jan Rosenthal gave Hannover a halftime lead, but Martin Wagner, Josef Cinar and Sahr Senesie scored in the last half hour to give Trier a stunning win. Mainz were the other victims, losing 2-1 at fourth division VfL Lubeck on Friday.
Cup holders Werder Bremen had no such problems as they trounced second division Union Berlin 5-0 away, with two goals apiece from Ivorian Boubacar Sanogo and Bolivian Marcelo Martins, and one from Brazilian Naldo.
Martins was making his debut after joining on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.
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Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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