Cup-holders Wolfsburg progress, Hoffenheim crash out of the DFB Cup

Wolfsburg defeated Stuttgarter Kickers 4-1 to start their title defence while second-division side TSV 1860 Munich upset Hoffenheim 2-0 at the first round of the DFB Cup (German Soccer Association Cup) on Saturday.

German Cup title-holders Wolfsburg cruised 4-1 past third-division side Stuttgarter Kickers to progress into the second round of the DFB Cup.

The "Wolves" opened the scoring with four minutes into the game when Max Kruse headed home Kevin De Bruyne's pinpoint cross to the far post.

Bas Dost doubled the lead for the "Wolves" prior to the break before De Bruyne completed a solo run and goal to make it 3-0 on the scoreboards after the restart.

The hosts reduced the arrears and scored their consolation at the 79th minute when Lhadji Badiane headed home a cross by teammate Fabio Leutenecker.

Wolfsburg remained unimpressed and restored their three-goal lead through Nicklas Bendtner, who marked the final 4-1 scores with four minutes remaining.

Second division team 1860 Munich flabbergasted Hoffenheim 2-0 on home soil. The "Loewen" scored two second-half goals to eliminate Hoffenheim from the DFB Cup in round one.

The hosts controlled the proceeding on the pitch yet they had to wait until the 51st minute before Daylon Claasen tapped in the square pass by Marius Wolf from very close range.

Hoffenheim remained uninspired and lacked in penetration whereas 1860 Munich were able to add another goal to their lead when substitute Fejsal Mulic poked home the 2-0 from very close range in the dying minutes of the game.

Elsewhere, Schalke crushed second division side Duisburg 5-0 to book their ticket for the next round. The "Royal Blues" killed the game with three-first half goals.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar broke the deadlock with three minutes into the game before Schalke new arrival Franco Di Santo squandered the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot, following a foul play by Branimir Branic, who saw his second yellow card of the afternoon.

Matija Nastasic and Johannes Greis extended the lead to provide Schalke a three-goal advantage before the half time. After the restart Di Santo and Leon Goretzka donated goal number four and five to put the game beyond doubt against ten-men Duisburg.

Bayer Leverkusen also advanced into the next round as the "Werkself" downed fourth division team Sportfreunde Lotte 3-0.

Stefan Kiessling scored the first goal of the game from very close range at the 15th minute. However, Leverkusen lacked in ideas and was only able to extend their lead through penalties.

Hakan Calhanoglu converted the foul play penalty at the 55th minute as well as Lars Bender at the 77th minute.

Bremen wrapped up a hard earned 2-0 victory over third division club Wuerzburger Kickers in overtime. Bremen's new arrival Anthony Ujah broke the deadlock at the 103rd minute before Fin Bartels chipped in the 2-0 victory five minutes later.

Eintracht Frankfurt edged chanceless fifth division club Bremer SV 3-0 on the road. The "Eagels" marked the opener with 31 minutes played before Stefan Aigner and Luca Waldschmidt made the game safe with two second-half goals.

Cologne whitewashed fourth division team SV Meppen 4-0 thanks to Anthony Modeste, who scored a hat-trick.

Cologne's new arrival Modeste scored two first half and one second-half goal before Simon Zoller rounded off the victory to advance into the next round.

Third-division team Holstein Kiel gave away their neat 1-0 lead as Stuttgart came from behind to advance into the second round following a 2-1 victory.

Kiel's Rafael Czichos scored the surprising opener for the underdogs at the 37th minute. Stuttgart responded only four minutes later when Daniel Didavi restored parity.

The "Swabians" turned the tides after the restart through Daniel Ginczek, who unleashed a hammer from 15 meters into the bottom left.

Monday's fixtures: Carl Zeiss Jena face Hamburg, Chemnitzer FC see Borussia Dortmund, VfB Luebeck host Paderborn, SpVgg Unterhaching encounter FC Ingolstadt, Hessen Kassel clash with Hannover and Energie Cottbus meet Mainz. Endi