体坛英语新闻：Stuttgart edges Hoffenheim 2-1 at German Bundesliga

BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic donated a brace to wrap a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim at the opener of the 26th Bundesliga round on Friday.

At the Southern derby, the "Schwaben" sealed the win over Hoffenheim within the first half owing a brace by Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic against his former club at outsold Rhein Neckar Arena.

Ibisevic opened the scoring at the eighth minute when he utilized a cross to slot home from penalty area with all time and space. Stuttgart kept things firmly in their hands when striker Ibisevic doubled the lead with a diving header just before end of the first half.

At the second half, the guests retracted with the 2-0 lead behind while Hoffenheim took over to shorten the score to 2-1, as midfielder Sejad Salihovic converted a foul play penalty at the seventy fourth minute.

Hoffenheim suffered the second loss in row whereas Stuttgart earned ten points out of the last four games.

"We were too naive over ninety minutes. Stuttgart was superior and had too much space. We just need too many opportunities to score," Hoffenheim coach Markus Babbel said.

"We have made the goals at the right time nevertheless we could have scored a third goal," Stuttgart sports director Fredi Bobic said.

Stuttgart climbs from eighth to seventh position with 36 points whilst Hoffenheim stays on twelfth position with 30 points.

The following fixtures are set for Saturday, front runner Dortmund hosts Bremen, struggling Berlin faces record champion Bayern, Leverkusen meets stunner team Monchengladbach, Nuremberg encounters Wolfsburg, Hamburg clashes bottom team Freiburg and Augsburg sees Mainz.