体坛英语新闻：Wolfsburg, Stuttgart lose in German Bundesliga

BERLIN, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Hoffenheim's Anthony Modeste donated a brace at the 6-2 win over Wolfsburg while Frankfurt inflicted struggling Stuttgart the eighth loss in row to close the 23rd round on Sunday.

Wolfsburg's streak of four consecutive wins came to an end as Hoffenheim overran the "Wolves" with four first-half goals. Thus Wolfsburg wasted the chance to move on fourth place of the standings, a UEFA Champions League play off spot.

The home side secured a quick start as Roberto Firmino completed a combination via Modeste to break the deadlock with just four minutes into the game. The early deficit stunned the visitors whereas Hoffenheim controlled the proceedings on the pitch.

Nonetheless the "Wolves" responded against the run of the game when Ivan Perisic had all time and space to assist Bas Dost, whose header from five meters left custodian Koen Casteels chanceless at the 15th minute.

Despite Wolfsburg's equalizer Hoffenheim retained the control to grab the lead for the second time as goalkeeper Diego Benaglio underestimated a dead ball cross by Sejad Salihovic, allowing Niklas Suele to nod home at the left post with eight minutes remaining in first half.

Things changed from bad to worse for the visitors as Anthony Modeste's two strikes within four minutes made it 4-1 on the scoreboards.

After the restart Hoffenheim retracted allowing Wolfsburg to reduce the arrears to 4-2 as Perisic got his name on the scoreboards at the 76th minute. Wolfsburg's Christian Traesch weakened his side at the 81st minute when he was sent off and caused a penalty for Hoffenheim. Sejad Salihovic stepped up and converted the penalty from the spot.

However, Hoffenheim were not done with the scoring as Sven Schipplock rounded off the 6-2 victory when he marked the sixth goal at the 86th minute.

Elsewhere, Stuttgart gave away a 1-0 lead in the closing period as Frankfurt came from behind within nine minutes to snatch a 2-1 home victory.

Struggling Stuttgart was on the way to earn decisive three points in their relegation battle as Martin Harnik opened the scoring on the road at the 31st minute.

But, the "Swabians" failed to extend especially because Alexandru Maxim pulled just wide in front of the open goal following a fast break at the 78th minute.

As a consequence Frankfurt flabbergasted the visitors with the equalizer through Jan Rosenthal two minutes later. To make things worse Frankfurt's Alexander Meier scored the 2-1 decider at the 89th minute to reap vital points.

Stuttgart remain 15th and in a relegation spot with 19 points while whereas Frankfurt have climbed from 13th to 12th.