BERLIN - German giant Bayern Munich booked its place in the second round of the German Cup on Monday night as it labored to a 3-0 win over second division Eintracht Brunswick.

Germany forward Thomas Mueller played a big role in the victory as he earned two first-half penalties before he hooked in a shot in the 83rd minute to claim a goal of his own.

The spot-kicks Mueller earned with darting runs before being hauled down had earlier been converted by fellow German stars Mario Gomez, after nine minutes, and Bastian Schweinsteiger, on 39 minutes, who celebrated his 27th birthday.

While Bayern was rarely tested, it was a far from convincing display from Jupp Heynckes-coached Munich which opens its Bundesliga campaign on Sunday at the Allianz Arena against Borussia Moenchengladbach.

"My team looked very confident," said Heynckes.

"We put in a first-class performance and stuck to our plan."

Bayern, which was without both star wingers Dutchman Arjen Robben and France's Franck Ribery, avoided becoming a fifth Bundesliga casualty after Bayer Leverkusen, VfL Wolfsburg, Freiburg and Werder Bremen all suffered first-round shocks over the weekend.

Leverkusen and six-time cup winner Bremen were both eliminated at the first hurdle on Saturday as Leverkusen, which was the Bundesliga runner-up last season, was sent packing by second division newcomer Dynamo Dresden.

In an extraordinary game, Leverkusen surrendered a 3-0 lead to go down 4-3.

The host came back to force extra-time, before Alexander Schnetzler's winner sent the 26,000 home fans wild with delight.

Bremen threw away a one-goal advantage to lose 2-1 at third-tier outfit Heidenheim and Wolfsburg was beaten 3-2 at fourth-flight RB Leipzig.

Freiburg was sent packing by Unterhaching, a third division club from the Munich suburbs, to become the fourth big-name casualty.

Reuters

(China Daily 08/03/2011 page24)