Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko netted twice to give champions VfL Wolfsburg a 2-1 victory at Schalke 04 which lifted them to fifth in the Bundesliga on Friday.
Schalke (10 points), coached by Felix Magath who led Wolfsburg to the title last season, are one point ahead in third place.
“I can deal with the reunion, but not the defeat,” Magath told reporters. “We had three, four, five chances, but the champions were far more effective. Maybe my team is a bit inexperienced.”
PHOTO: AFP
Wolfsburg, on a high following their maiden Champions League win over CSKA Moscow in midweek, could have taken the lead with the last shot of the first half when Christian Gentner fired a close-range effort against keeper Manuel Neuer.
Dzeko then scored against the run of play, heading in a 55th-minute corner at the far post.
Schalke pushed forward and were lucky not to concede a second goal when defender Marcelo Bordon cleared a Marcel Schaefer effort off the line.
Brazilian playmaker Rafinha and Georgian Levan Kenia missed chances for Schalke before the home team leveled in the 80th minute when 21-year-old Benedikt Hoewedes headed in a corner.
Their celebrations were shortlived though, as Dzeko fired the winner from 8m a minute later to end Wolfsburg’s run of three consecutive defeats.
Two minutes later, Schalke went desperately close to an equalizer when a header by Kevin Kuranyi bounced off the post and on to the knee of keeper Andre Lenz, standing in for the suspended Diego Benaglio.
Schalke protested the ball had crossed the line, but the referee waved play on.
“We did a good enough job, but we should have taken the lead earlier,” Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh said. “Schalke fought until the end.”
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
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely