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Bochum is getting closer to the first division promotion
Photo: Sportfoto Zink / Melanie Zink / imago images / Zink
First against Greuther Fürth, then against Hamburger SV, Fortuna Düsseldorf and Holstein Kiel: Second division leaders VfL Bochum will be challenged by their pursuers one after the other in these weeks.
In third place in the table in Fürth, Westphalia won on Saturday and defended the top.
The Karlsruher SC lost ground in the promotion battle.
Aue and Hannover remain in midfield after a draw.
VfL Bochum has taken the next big step towards returning to the Bundesliga after eleven years.
The leader of the table prevailed in the top game at SpVgg Greuther Fürth 2: 1 (1: 1) and increased the lead over the third to five points.
On Monday (8.30 p.m. / Sky) Holstein Kiel could draw level again with a win at Hamburger SV according to counters.
Bochum took an early lead (7th) with a remarkable flick from Anthony Losilla in the Winkel.
With his first professional goal, Anton Stach equalized for the hosts (18th), VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann did not react at all when he hit the short corner.
With his twelfth goal of the season, the ex-Fürth player Robert Zulj (61st, penalty kick) secured the Bochumers the ninth victory in the last twelve games.
The Karlsruher SC has stopped the triumphant advance of FC St. Pauli.
Baden played goalless against the team of coach Timo Schultz, who last won five times in a row and defeated local rivals Hamburger SV 1-0 last Monday.
KSC missed the chance to get closer to the top teams with a win.
In the table, the Karlsruher, who suffered only one defeat in the last eleven games, occupy fifth place in the table with 40 points, the eleven from Millerntor is tenth in the ranking with 32 points.
St. Pauli's Daniel Kyereh had the greatest chance in the seventh minute.
From six meters, however, he failed because of the brilliant goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck.
Erzgebirge Aue just missed a victory in the 2nd Bundesliga for its anniversary.
The team of coach Dirk Schuster did not get beyond a 1: 1 (0: 1) in the home stadium against Hannover 96.
It was the 500th second division game for the Saxons, who are still in the middle of the table with 33 points despite the draw, Hanover has 35 points on the account.
Philipp Ochs (24th) scored the goal for Hanover, Pascal Testroet equalized (64th).
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aha / dpa (sid