Bayern extends lead in Bundesliga

Berlin, Feb 3 (IANS): Unstoppable Bayern Munich continued their triumphal march as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Mainz whereas bottom side Greuther Furth flabbergasted Schalke 2-1 to wrap a last gasp win at the 20th round of German football league, Bundesliga.

Front-runners Bayern Munich consolidated their title ambitions as they increased their points to 51 Saturday with great help of Mario Mandzukic who donated a brace within seven minutes, reports Xinhua.

Mainz staged a courageous performance on home soil to give the German record champions a hard time. The hosts utilised a cleverly devised strategy during the first half when they isolated Bayern’s midfield with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez not allowing Bayern to produce opportunities while Mainz came close twice through Shawn Parker.

With four minutes remaining in the first half, Bayern midfielder Thomas Mueller rounded Mainz goalkeeper Christian Wetklo to break the deadlock out of the blue following a pass into path by Toni Kroos.

Mainz’s situation worsened in the 50th minute as Mario Mandzukic exploited a David Alaba pass into the box to double the lead and to score his 12th goal of the season. Mandzukic was not done with the scoring and so he made it three seven minutes later, following a combination via Philipp Lahm to destroy Mainz hopes of a comeback.

The Bavarians reap their 16th win to stay atop the standings with a 14-point gap to chasers Leverkusen whereas Mainz suffered their eighth loss of the season to stay in fifth with 30 points.

Bottom team Greuther Fuerth flabbergasted home side Schalke 2-1 owing to the decider by Nikola Djudjic in the dying minutes of the game. The Royal Blues took the reins with the kick-off. Nonetheless their poor chance conversion and Fuerths dedicated performance denied the opener at first half.

With the beginning of the second half, Schalke’s new arrival Michel Bastos hammered home a dead ball to give the hosts the lead at the 47th minute. The joy was short-lived as Mainz responded five minutes later through Felix Klaus to restore parity.

At the dramatic closing period Schalke were punished for their laxity as Nikola Djudjic headed home the late winner with the last action of the game. Fuerth ensured their second win of the season, yet they remain in last position of the standings while Schalke reside in sixth with 29 points.

Elsewhere, Stuttgart lost 1-3 surprisingly to newly promoted Dusseldorf. It is the fourth straight loss for the ‘Swabians’.

Frankfurt’s new arrival Srdjan Lakic scored twice to stun Hamburg 2-0 in an away game. Newly promoted Frankfurt sealed the deal in 36 minutes as Hamburg failed to overcome the visitors bulwark in the second half.

Wolfsburg were held to a 1-1 draw against Augsburg whereas Hoffenheim wrapped up a 2-1 win over Freiburg to recover from nine consecutive winless matches.