体坛英语新闻：Monchengladbach down Schalke, Hamburg lose in Bundesliga

BERLIN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Monchengladbach's Patrick Herrmann secured his side a victory at Schalke while Augsburg's 3-1 triumph moved Hamburg one step closer to their first ever relegation to close the 32nd round on Sunday.

Monchengladbach boosted their Champions League hopes as they beat Schalke 1-0 on the road. With the eighth loss of the season the "Royal Blues" have to fear for their third place and their direct Champions League berth.

Schalke controlled the proceedings on the pitch over most of the time but it were the "Foals" that snatched three points thanks to their counter attacks strategy and clinical chance conversion.

Monchengladbach's defence was able to neutralize Schalke's offensive efforts. Patrick Herrmann created the first threatening chance for the visitors but saw his effort saved by Schalke's custodian Ralf Faehrmann. However, Herrmann cut a better figure at the 35th minute as the midfielder's left-footed hammer from 15 meters found the back of the top left corner to open the scoring.

Monchengladbach retracted with the lead and waited for their chance to counter whereas the "Royal Blues" failed to overcome the "Foals" bulwark. With the result sixth placed Monchengladbach sit three points away from fourth place and a possible Champions League play off with two rounds remaining. Schalke remain on third place but have only a three-point advantage chasers Leverkusen.

Elsewhere, Halil Altintop's brace for Augsburg increased Hamburg's relegation worries. Augsburg killed the game with three goals in the first half as Hamburg only reduced the arrears before the break.

The Turkish international Altintop smoothed the way for the victory with his brace within 32 minutes before German international Andre Hahn made it three at the 42nd minute. Hamburg were able to pull one back by courtesy of Heiko Westermann's goal but they never posed a threat for Augsburg during the second half.

The "Rothosen" sit on a relegation playoff spot and five points away from safety with just six points to gain this season. Augsburg secured their 13th win of the season to remain on eighth place.