Klose strikes as Bayern survive cup scare

FE Team | Published: August 08, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

BERLIN, Aug 7 (AFP): German striker Miroslav Klose saved Bayern Munich's blushes on Monday with an equaliser at minnows Wacker Burghausen as his side made the German Cup's second round after a 4-3 win on penalties.
Striker Thomas Neubert had earlier written himself into Burghausen folklore when he gave the third-division side a 62nd-minute lead after his header beat Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn to delight the home fans in the 11,582-strong crowd.
But Klose struck on 79 minutes, much to Bayern's relief and although extra-time could not separate the sides, the game was settled on penalties and Bayern survived a mighty scare.
Having produced a superb performance, well above his years, Burghausen's 18-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Riemann saved a penalty and scored one, but Bayern's defender Christian Lell hit the winning penalty to shatter the home side's dreams.
"We have seen a good game, both sides created their chances and it could have gone either way," said Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Defender Marcell Jansen had recovered from an ankle strain to take his place, while French midfielder Franck Ribery played just behind lone striker Klose.
The home side nearly drew first blood when midfielder Levente Schultz unleashed a superb shot which forced Kahn into a full-length dive and concede a corner.
Burghausen captain Bjoern Hertl earned himself a yellow card in the seventh minute with a heavy tackle, but the home defence worked extremely hard during every Bayern attack to keep their illustrious rivals at bay.
Ribery, Jansen and Klose all went close just before the half-time break as Riemann earned his money with a string of fine saves against Bayern's international attack, but some poor finishing helped the minnows.
But Neubert's goal just after the hour mark changed the game's tempo as Bayern moved up a gear to force the equaliser and Berghausen battled to defend their slender lead.