Hamburg beat Berlin to close in on Bayern

Hamburg moved to within one point of leaders Bayern Munich with a 2-1 win over 10-man Hertha Berlin yesterday.

Champions and leaders Bayern Munich, with 38 points in 15 matches to Hamburg's 37 from 16, host Kaiserslautern today and could take the honorary distinction of winning the first half of the season that ends after next week's matches.

Hamburg, extending their unbeaten streak to seven Bundesliga matches, took a second-minute lead when Hertha defender Dick van Burik headed a Stefan Beinlich corner kick into his own net.

Six minutes later van Burik blundered again, bringing down Emile Mpenza just inside the box for a penalty that Iran's Mehdi Mahdavikia fired left past Christian Fiedler.

Van Burik hurt himself on the play and had to be replaced. Hertha, who held on to fifth place after only their second loss in the last 10 league and UEFA Cup matches, suffered a further setback seven minutes after the break when Marcelinho was shown a second yellow card.

The visitors pulled a goal back 14 minutes from time. Yildiray Basturk beat four Hamburg defenders to get off a shot from just outside the box that Hamburg's goalkeeper Sascha Kirschstein failed to hold.

The ball slipped under his legs and rolled slowly off the left post and into the goal.

"We played very well at the start and were a bit fortunate to get two quick goals but we really needed to get that third goal and didn't," said Hamburg coach Thomas Doll.

"We had our chances. It got a bit hectic at times. But it was a difficult pitch and difficult weather conditions."

Doll once again tried to douse growing expectations in Hamburg, insisting they are not Bayern's main challengers.

"We're not the Bayern hunters," Doll said. "Everyone should just let us get our work done without distractions like that."

Hamburg are the surprise team of the season with 11 wins, four draws and one loss. They are the only team to have beaten Bayern this season.

Hamburg have the league's best defence, giving up eight goals this season and only two in their last five matches.

Hertha coach Falko Goetz said his team beat themselves. "We didn't have to lose here," he said. "It really takes a lot out of you to go two goals down after just a few minutes."