BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Stuttgart strengthened its position in the race for Champions League qualification with a narrow home win over RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Sunday, a match decided by a costly second-half error from goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt that allowed Deniz Undav to score the only goal.
Before kickoff, the two sides were level on points, each with 14 wins, five draws and six defeats, with Stuttgart sitting fourth only on goal difference ahead of Leipzig in what was effectively a direct battle for a Champions League place.
The opening exchanges were balanced, but Leipzig created the first clear chance when Yan Diomande sent a low pass toward Romulo near the penalty spot, only for the effort to drift wide. Soon after, Christoph Baumgartner threatened from a corner while Stuttgart gradually began to enjoy longer spells of possession.
The host also created chances as the pressure increased. Ermedin Demirovic went close with a header from a Chris Fuhrich cross, but the ball slipped wide, while Leipzig remained dangerous on the break and nearly struck when David Raum released Baumgartner, who fired over from an unmarked position.
After the interval, the match remained cautious until Leipzig came close through Nicolas Seiwald, whose header forced Alexander Nubel to react sharply and push the ball onto the post. Moments later came the decisive moment, when Vandevoordt attempted to play out from the back and sent the ball straight to Fuhrich.
He quickly fed Undav inside the box, and the striker calmly rolled the ball into the right corner in the 56th minute. Leipzig struggled to respond, and its best late chance saw Willi Orban hit the post with a header. The result leaves Stuttgart three points ahead of Leipzig and level on points with third-placed Hoffenheim.
"We had that famous bit of luck on our side, but overall, it was a superb fighting performance. The team really earned it today with great spirit and support for one another. Today I am a happy man with a squad that fought outstandingly," Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness said.
Elsewhere, Union Berlin snatched a late 1-0 win over SC Freiburg through Jeong Woo-yeong's stoppage-time winner, while Mainz boosted its survival hopes with a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen. ■
