German Cup : Duisburg down Kaiserslautern, Cottbus oust Hoffenheim

BERLIN - Second-division sides MSV Duisburg and Energie Cottbus marched in the semi-finals of the German Cup with upset victories over top-flight cups Wednesday.

Duisburg, third in the second division, dumped Kaiserslautern out with a 2-0 victory while Cottbus shocked Hoffenheim with a late goal for a 1-0 win to continue a run of victories over first-division sides.

Dutch striker Ryan Babel’s debut for Hoffenheim following his move this week from Liverpool was spoiled by an 84th-minute winner by Chinese midfielder Jiayi Shao at Cottbus who reach the last four for the second time since 1997.

Duisburg overcame Kaiserslautern thanks to goals in each half from Branimir Bajic and Goran Sukalo in the club’s best cup run for 13 years when they also reached the semis.

The home side went in front in the 36th minute when keeper Tobias Sippel miscued an attempted punched clearance from a corner and the ball was headed on to Bosnian defender Bajic who netted from close range.

Slovenia midfielder Sukalo then headed a second in the 58th from a free-kick to ensure another giant-killing act for the Zebras who eliminated Cologne in the previous round.

Duisburg and Cottbus, who had already eliminated first-division sides Freiburg and Wolfsburg, join Schalke 04 in the last four after Felix Magath’s side overcame Nuremberg 3-2 in extra-time Tuesday.

Title-holders Bayern Munich were at second-division Alemannia Aachen in the evening’s remaining semi-final.