Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund advanced from the opening round of the DFB Pokal on Sunday, while Hamburg SV were knocked out by fourth-tier side Carl Zeiss Jena.
Bayern, the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 DFB Pokal winners, were made to work hard for a 3-1 win over fifth-tier Noettingen in Karlsruhe, Germany.
New signing Arturo Vidal scored from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, a minute before the Chile international was booked for a crunching tackle.
Photo: Reuters
Niklas Hecht-Zirpel claimed a personal highlight in the 16th minute by equalizing from a rebound after Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich parried his first effort, but Mario Goetze cut the amateur side’s celebrations short by scoring a minute later and Robert Lewandowski made it 3-1 in the 26th.
Noettingen regrouped and did well to frustrate Bayern in the second half.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored one and set up another as Dortmund beat third-tier Chemnitzer 2-0.
The Armenia midfielder crossed for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score with a fine header in the 25th minute and Aubameyang returned the favor for Mkhitaryan to seal the win with a curling shot inside the far post in the 83rd.
Jena upset Hamburg 3-2 thanks to Johannes Pieles’ extra time-winner.
Justin Gerlach put the fourth-tier side ahead with a poorly defended free-kick in the 15th minute, before Albin Ekdal equalized in the 48th, though TV replays showed the ball was out of play before Ivo Ilicevic crossed.
Velimir Jovanovic restored Jena’s lead in the 58th minute, but Michael Gregoritsch scored in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to take the game to extra-time.
FSV Mainz 05 beat third-tier Energie Cottbus 3-0 and Hannover 96 defeated fourth-tier KSV Hessen Kassel 2-0 thanks to goals from Salif Sane and Kenan Karaman.
Nils Petersen scored four goals as SC Freiburg routed fifth-tier HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst 5-0, while another second-tier team, VfL Bochum, thrashed fifth-tier FSV Salmrohr by the same score.
Fourth-tier SpVgg Unterhaching upset promoted Bundesliga side Ingolstadt 04 2-1, second-tier SC Paderborn 07 won 2-1 at fourth-tier VfB Luebeck and second-tier Heidenheim routed fourth-tier FK Pirmasens 4-1.
Second-tier sides SV Sandhausen and Fortuna Duesseldorf needed penalties to advance after they were held scoreless by fourth-tier opposition.
Sandhausen defeated Bahlinger SC 5-3 and Duesseldorf beat local rivals Rot-Weiss Essen 3-1. Both Sandhausen and Duesseldorf finished with 10 men.
Second-tier Kaiserslautern defeated third-tier rivals Hansa Rostock 5-4 on penalties.
Former Kaiserslautern striker Marcel Ziemer’s penalty miss proved decisive.
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