Wolfsburg launched the defense of their German league title with an impressive 2-0 win over Stuttgart on Friday, striking an early blow against a team tipped as potential successors to the crown.
The departure of title-winning coach Felix Magath to Schalke 04 showed no signs of eating into Wolfsburg’s confidence as late goals from Bosnian playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic and Brazilian striker Grafite secured the points.
Grafite and Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, who grabbed 54 goals between them last season, were quickly out of the blocks.
PHOTO: AFP
In the 19th minute, Dzeko pounced on a defensive error by Frenchman Matthieu Delpierre, but former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann turned the Bosnian’s shot around the post.
Grafite was then thwarted by Lehmann, who still looked sharp despite his approaching 40th birthday, on the half-hour mark.
Stuttgart had some opportunities in the first half, with Sami Khedira seeing a shot saved on the line by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio and new signing Pavel Pogrebniak also having a header saved.
Wolfsburg’s pressure finally told, however, in the 71st minute when a drive from Misimovic beat Lehmann, before Grafite added a second, eight minutes from time.
“It was a very good night for us,” said Grafite, the league’s top scorer last season. “We could have won by more, but we know that every match in the championship will be tough.”
Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh said his side were worthy winners.
“After a very equal first half, where either side could have scored, we then dominated the second half and deserved the victory,” Veh said.
Meanwhile, midfield tough-guy Mark van Bommel leads Bayern Munich into their new season determined to stamp his authority and that of new coach Louis van Gaal on the Bavarian giants.
The two Dutchmen are key to Bayern’s hopes of wresting the title back from Wolfsburg after finishing an agonizing two points behind the shock champions last season.
Van Gaal, who has followed the sacked Jurgen Klinsmann into the Bayern hot seat, believes van Bommel is the right man for the skipper’s armband as another marathon league and European Champions League season beckons.
“I saw that Mark has a huge influence on the team,” van Gaal said. “He’s a big supporter of my philosophy, my methods and my values. That matters to me. I need someone to represent me on the field.”
Also See: Ferdinand sends Blues a warning
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and