Germany's Wolfsburg, Munich overcome rivals in Champions League
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German Bundesliga newly-crowned champion Wolfsburg and record champion Bayern Munich overcame their rivals in the opening games of this season's Champions League on Tuesday.
Wolfsburg beat ZSKA Moskau 3-1 at home to win their first match in group stage of UEFA Champions League, while visiting Bayern Munich swept Maccabi Haifa 3-0 in Israel.
The first appearance of VfL Wolfsburg in the Champions League ended with a well deserved victory thanks to game-decider Grafite.
Shortly before the end of the first half, Wolfsburg striker Grafite opened the scoring with a right footed shot at the 36th minute. Five minutes later Grafite again converted a penalty after he was fouled by Moskaus defender Deividas Semberas in penalty area.
After interval ZSKA Moskau pressed hard, but only at the 77th minute Moskaus midfielder Alan Dzagoev shortened the gap with a right-footed goal. Champions League newcomer Wolfsburg showed their capacity and Grafite soon hat-tricked with a left-footed goal.
Also on Tuesday, Bayern earned their first victory with a mediocre performance in Maccabi Haifa. Bayern showed their sharp offensive after the interval when Bayern's defender Daniel van Buyten scored from 13 meters after Haifa failed to clear the ball.
Just like the last Bundesliga game between Bayern and Dortmund, Youngster striker Thomas Mueller who sealed the victory of Bayern by two goals at the 88th and 89th minute.
On Wednesday, German soccer powerhouse Stuttgart will start their group stage of Champions League by facing FC Rangers.
(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2009)
