German soccer powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen defeated Czech champions Sparta Prague 1-0 at home on Thursday, sealing one place in the next round of UEFA Cup.

 

In a decisive match against Sparta, Czech champions 31 times, Leverkusen struggled with 0-0 in the first half.

 

In the second half, however, the host team reduced with ten players as captain Carsten Ramelow got a red card in the 60th minute.

 

Despite pressure from the guest team, Bayer sought a chance from a corner when defender Manuel Friedrich scored with a header in the 71st minute.

 

The narrow victory is enough for Bayer to knock out Sparta, which merely got four points in their four group matches of UEFA Cup.

 

For Bayer, 6 points in three games ensure them one place in the next round of UEFA Cup. Their last group match will be at FC Zurich in Switzerland on December 19.

 

Sparta is only third in the Czech league, and they missed out on qualification for the Champions League when they lost to Arsenal.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2007)