SPORTS> Soccer
Bayern take provisional lead with tie
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-15 11:16

BERLIN: Ten-men Bayern Munich moved to the top of the Bundesliga for at least 24 hours after a battling 2-2 draw at Stuttgart on Saturday.

 Juergen Klismann (R), coach of Bayern Munich celebrates his team's second goal against VfB Stuttgart during their German first division Bundesliga soccer match in Stuttgart, December 13, 2008. [Agencies]

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With surprise leaders Hoffenheim not playing until Sunday, Juergen Klinsmann's men had looked set to take full advantage after fighting from a goal down at halftime to lead 2-1.

A red card for Massimo Oddo, following a lunging tackle on Stuttgart's Christian Traesch with five minutes to go, proved costly however with Sami Khedira going on to equalize for the home side one minute into stoppage time.

Stuttgart's late leveller meant that Hoffenheim was in a position to regain top spot going into the German winter break with a draw at home to Schalke 04 on Sunday.

"The sending off was the turning point and completely incomprehensible from our point of view because Massimo was jumping for the ball and did not even see the opponent," Klinsmann told German television after Saturday's thrilling return to his home city.

Agencies