Berlin, Aug 21 (IANS) Schalke overcame sixth-division team Villingen 4-1 whereas Monchengladbach craved out a 1-0 victory to progress into the second round of the German Cup football tournament on Saturday.
The "Royal Blues" eased 4-1 past Villingen as the early goals from Dennis Aogo and summer signing Breel Embolo sealed the deal within the first half, Xinhua news agency reported.
Markus Weinzierl's man grabbed bright start into their first competitive game of the season after Aogo broke the deadlock with a well-placed shot into the top left corner from 16 meters with 10 minutes into the game.
Schalke doubled the lead only nine minutes later, as Switzerland international Breel Embolo poked home Sejad Kolasinac's untouched cross at the far post.
The hosts had the chance to reduce the arrears moments later but Nedzad Plavic squandered it following a one-on-one with custodian Ralf Faehrmann. Schalke's keeper was again on guard in the 28th minute after defusing Plavic's direct free-kick effort on target.
Schalke controled the proceedings but failed to extend the lead as Klaas Jan Hunterlaar, Franco Di Santo and Abdul Rahman Baba were unable to beat Villingen goalkeeper Daniel Miletic.
After the restart, Schalke retracted behind with the 2-0 lead and let the hosts do the work. However, the Bundesliga team increased their pressure in the closing period as Johannes Geis unleashed a hammer form 28 meters to triple the lead before Huntelaar put the game beyond doubt with the 4-0 lead.
Nevertheless, Villingen were able to score their consolation through Mario Ketterer who reduced the arrears with a header in the dying minutes of the game.
Bundesliga outfit Monchengladbach booked their second-round tickets as well. The "Foals" edged fourth division club Dochtersen/Assel 1-0 thanks to the second-half winner from Julian Korb, who poked home Christoph Kramer's build up play.
Dochtersen/Assel staged a resilient performance and gave the top-flight team from Monchengladbach, who lacked in penetration, a hard time over the 90 minutes.
Elsewhere, Cologne showed no mercy with lower league side BFC Preussen after cursing to a 7-0 victory on the road. Bundesliga newcomers Freiburg staged a faultless performance against Babelsberg following a 4-0 win.
Second division team Dynamo Dresden knocked out Leipzig 5-4 on penalties from the German Cup. The newly promoted Bundesliga team gave away a 2-0 lead allowing Dresden to turn the tides in the penalty shootout.
The remaining Bundesliga teams will step into contest in the next two days to encounter lower league sides.
--IANS
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