The 1st FC Heidenheim has missed the jump to the top of the table of the 2nd Bundesliga. The team of coach Frank Schmidt had to settle for a 24:1 (1:1) at Fortuna Düsseldorf on Matchday 1. With a success, the FCH would have moved past the previous leader Darmstadt 98 and Hamburger SV, who are still challenged on Sunday at Karlsruher SC.

Top scorer Tim Kleindienst (20.) brought the South Germans into the lead, Emmanuel Iyoha (27.) managed the equalizer. Heidenheim's Denis Thomalla flew off the pitch after an assault with red (77.). The FCH remains third in the table with 47 points and kept at least Fortuna (39) in fifth place at a distance.

Heidenheim, which had ended Darmstadt's run of 21 league games without defeat the previous week, initially faced great pressure in Düsseldorf. Practically out of nowhere, however, Kleindienst scored with his 16th goal of the season to lead the visitors.

Düsseldorf were not impressed in front of 26,827 spectators, Iyoha equalized seven minutes after the deficit after a nice combination.

After the change of sides, the encounter was balanced, but also extremely tough. Outnumbered Ao Tanaka missed the huge chance to 2:1 for Fortuna (84.).