Newz Forum: SOCCER: German Bundesliga results 16/04/05

Bayern Munich took a giant step towards the Bundesliga title as a stoppage-time goal from substitute Owen Hargreaves gave them a 1-0 away win at Hannover.

The England midfielder struck in the dying seconds with his only touch to ensure the Bavarian giants had the perfect day and helped erase the disappointment of their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Chelsea.

Not only did Bayern win but closest rivals Schalke, Stuttgart and champions Werder Bremen all lost. That means that with five matches to play Bayern lead Schalke by six points, Stuttgart by eight and Bremen by 12 and only a shock collapse can now deny Felix Magath's men the title. Schalke looked to be on course for a win when Gerald Asamoah gave them a fourth-minute lead.

However, second-half strikes from Raphael Wicky and Emile Mpenza saw opponents Hamburg snatch a 2-1 away win at Gelsenkirchen.

Bremen's defence of their title was virtually ended by a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hertha Berlin, whose goal was scored by Marcelinho.

Stuttgart were beaten 2-1 by strugglers Hansa Rostock, who took the lead through Marcus Allback only for Jeronimo Cacau to equalise for Matthias Sammer's side. Rade Prica scored the winner for Rostock who have run into form but are still in the relegation zone.

Mainz and Borussia Monchengladbach shared a 1-1 draw in a relegation battle, with Michael Thurk equalising in stoppage time for Mainz after Oliver Neuville had put Borussia ahead.

Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 draw by Arminia Bielefeld, who snatched a late draw through Isaac Boakye after Florian Kringe had given Dortmund an early lead.

Bottom club Freiburg are now just one defeat away from relegation after a 3-1 setback at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen. Alexander Iashvili equalised Bernd Schneider's opener for Leverkusen but two goals from Dimitar Berbatov settled the match in the second half.

Source: Sportinglife.com