BERLIN: Robert Lewandowski netted twice to seal Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win at ten-man minnows VfL Bochum on Wednesday to set up a German Cup semi-final at home against Werder Bremen.

Also, Hertha Berlin reached the semi-finals for the first time in 35 years by winning 3-2 at second-tier Heidenheim and were drawn at home against Borussia Dortmund for a place in the final in their home stadium.

Second-division Bochum, playing at home, made an encouraging start against Bayern with the first big chances falling to Simon Terodde within three minutes of each other early on.

Bayern enjoyed most of the possession but struggled to create any real opportunities until Thomas Mueller set up Robert Lewandowski to score in off the left post in the 39th.

The Bavarians could have scored again two minutes later when Jan Simunek was sent off for bringing down Arjen Robben in the box, but Mueller’s penalty was saved by Manuel Riemann.

But Bayern made sure of their place in the semis when Thiago Alcantara converted Mueller’s superb cross on 61 minutes and Lewandowski grabbed his second goal in stoppage time.

Earlier, Arne Feick got Heidenheim off to a flying start against Hertha when he converted at the near post from a corner on 10 minutes.

But Hertha’s Vedad Ibisevic netted twice to put Hertha 2-1 up after 21 minutes as heavy snow fell in southern Germany.

Midfielder Genki Haraguchi sealed the result in the 58th when he left three Heidenheim defenders standing before scoring with his right boot.

There was a nervous final few minutes as Heidenheim pulled a goal back when Marc Schnatterer netted a late penalty.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2016