Sports

Bundesliga Round 8 in Pictures

Bayern become best starters ever

A more than convincing 5-0 win in Düsseldorf means that Bayern Munich become the first Bundesliga team ever to win its first eight games in a season. Franck Robery contributed three assists, and Thomas Müller bagged a brace.

Bundesliga Round 8 in Pictures

Schalke put the hurt on rivals Dortmund

No win is sweeter for Schalke than a victory in Dortmund. So the Royal Blues were ecstatic after downing the reigning two-time champs 2-1. The win kept Schalke in third place in the table and means they're now five points ahead of their fiercest rivals.

Bundesliga Round 8 in Pictures

Frankfurt keep the momentum going

Frankfurt's main goal this season was to avoid relegation, but they may need to revise their aims upward. With 19 points, they're not only already halfway toward guaranteeing their first-division status. They're also second in the table behind Bayern. On Saturday, they beat Hanover 3-1.

Bundesliga Round 8 in Pictures

Leverkusen and Mainz split the points

Gonzalo Castro was the last-minute savior for Leverkusen who eked out a 2-2 draw at home against Mainz. The hosts had led in the match, but their characteristic inconsistency struck again, and in the end they'll be happy to have salvaged something.

Bundesliga Round 8 in Pictures

Bremen blitz Mönchengladbach

In a game that featured two teams who have failed to get out of the blocks this season, Werder Bremen smoked Gladbach 4-0. Nils Petersen got the hosts on track early, and they never let their opponents into the match. At times they looked like the Bremen offensive machines of old.

Bundesliga Round 8 in Pictures

Fürth fight to a draw in Hoffenheim

Greuther Fürth came into Hoffenheim on Friday as they league's worst team, but they never gave up. The Bundesliga debutants fought back from two deficits to secure a 3-3 draw on the final play of the game. That prompted coach Mike Büskens to run the length of the pitch to celebrate with his players.

Bundesliga Round 8 in Pictures

Nuremberg split the points with Augsburg

Nuremberg put an end to a four-game losing streak, clawing their way to a goalless draw at home with Augsburg. It was a match short of highlights between two teams trying to avoid mistakes.

Bundesliga Round 8 in Pictures

Stuttgart secure big win in Hamburg

In Sunday's late match, visitors Stuttgart outhustled hosts Hamburg to book a 1-0 win that was clearer than the scoreline suggests. The win takes the heat of a squad criticized for underachieving and whose coach had thrown a hissy in round 7.

Author: Jefferson Chase | Editor : Chuck Penfold

Afghans unite for the game of soccer

Suspense grows

The excitement grew as players from undefeated Toofan Harirod from the western city of Herat trotted out onto the pitch for their standoff with opponents Simorgh Alborz from northern Mazar-i-Sharif.

Afghans unite for the game of soccer

Female fans

A large number of women were in the stands to cheer on their teams. Under the Taliban, Ghazi Stadium was only used as an execution grounds. Now, men and women can watch sporting events there together.

Afghans unite for the game of soccer

Like a storm

"Toofan" means tornado - a fitting name for Toofan Harirod. They scored their first goal in the first minute of the game.

Afghans unite for the game of soccer

Something new

Over 5,000 fans turned up at the stadium in Kabul - so many, in fact, that the gates had to be closed. For the better part of the audience, the game was a much-needed distraction from the drabness of every-day life.

Afghans unite for the game of soccer

Winner takes all

Toofan Harirod ultimately won the match 2:1. Despite the fact that the teams had only been around for a few weeks, they all played quite well. The first season of the Afghan Premier League was a rousing success - for everyone.

Afghans unite for the game of soccer

United for soccer

Despite the fact that the fans were from all over Afghanistan, all were united in the spirit of soccer. They all rooted for one team: Afghanistan.

Author: Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi / sb | Editor : Gregg Benzow