DFB Pokal Group of 16 - Bundesliga Clubs Struggle on Day One

The Group of 16 in the DFB Pokal kicked off today.  Both Bundeliga leaders, FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund participated.   Bayern played VFL Bochum and didn't settle the score until one minute into extra time, coming away with a 2-1 victory.

Dortmund which faced Fortuna Duesseldorf had to settle the game with penalty kicks, after 90 minutes of regular time and an addition 30 minutes of overtime.  No goals were scored over 120 minutes of play.  Dortmund settled the score with 4-5 penalty kicks over Duesseldorf.

1.FC Nuernberg was eliminated by SpVgg Greuther Fuerth by a single goal in that game and Hoffenheim eliminated Augsburg from the competition with a 2-1 victory.

To say the least, the Bundesliga sides had great difficulty today.  Dortmund dominated the game but was unable to crack a superb Duesseldorf defence.   Munich, which was playing without Mueller seemed to be disorganized with several missed passes.  The flow was missing from the game.

Results:

VFL Bochum vs Bayern Muenchen 1-2
Hoffenheim vs FC Augsburg            2-1
1.FC Nuernberg vs Greuther Fuerth 0-1
Fortuna Duesseldorf vs Bor Dortmund 0-0  (4-5 Penalty Kicks)


Tomorrow's Matches:

Hertha BSC Berlin vs 1. FC Kaiserslautern  3-1
Holstein Kiel vs Mainz 05    2-0
VFB Stuttgart vs Hamburger SV 2-1
Bor Moenchgladbach vs Schalke 04  3-1