Berlin: Bosnian striker Vedad Ibisevic scored twice on his return to his former club to earn Stuttgart a 2-1 victory against Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.

Ibisevic opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he scored from a cross. Stuttgart added to their lead when Ibisevic scored with a diving header just before the first half ended.

In the second half, the Hoffenheim came back in the match, as midfielder Sejad Salihovic converted a penalty in the 74th minute, Xinhua reported.

Hoffenheim suffered their second successive loss while Stuttgart have been in good form earning 10 points out of the last four games.

"We were too naive over 90 minutes. Stuttgart was superior and had too much space. We just need too many opportunities to score," Hoffenheim coach Markus Babbel was quoted as saying.

"We have made the goals at the right time nevertheless we could have scored a third goal," Stuttgart sports director Fredi Bobic said.

Stuttgart climbs from eighth to seventh position with 36 points while Hoffenheim stay in 12th spot with 30 points.

IANS