1. FC Heidenheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern separated in the 2nd division on Sunday (September 18th, 2022) 2: 2 (2: 1). The guests from the Palatinate proved morale when outnumbered.
FCH had the better scoring chances overall, the guests from the Palatinate earned the point with a strong fight after goalkeeper Andreas Luthe saw the red card in the first half.
Due to the draw, 1. FC Heidenheim is in fifth place with 16 points from nine games. 1. FC Kaiserslautern is seventh with 14 points.
A day after his 15th anniversary as coach of 1. FC Heidenheim Frank Schmidt was celebrated by the FCH fans with a choreography before kick-off. The coach changed his starting eleven the 0-0 at KSC on a position. Ex-FCK player Florian Pick started for Kevin Sessa. In the Red Devils, coach Dirk Schuster brought in comparison to 3:3 against Darmstadt Hendrick Zuck and Kenny Prince Redondo for Daniel Hanslik and Philipp Hercher.
Heidenheim’s coach Frank Schmidt is honored with a choreography for his 15th anniversary as a coach
Best scores – Boyd counters
After the initial phase, in which both teams were careful to defend themselves, Heidenheim took the lead with their first real scoring chance of the game. After FCK winger Jean Zimmer lost the ball and a pass from Denis Thomalla, Jan-Niklas Beste penetrated the Kaiserslautern penalty area from the inside right, prevailed against two defenders and scored on the bottom left to make it 1-0 for the home side (17th minute ).
However, the answer of the Red Devils was not long in coming. FCH keeper Kevin Müller sailed under a corner and the ball found its way to FCK attacker Terrence Boyd, who headed in from four meters to equalize (20′).
As a result, a lively game developed, both teams were now looking for the offensive. The FCH had a finish through Pick, which was not a problem for FCK keeper Andreas Luthe (23′), for the guests Marlon Ritter failed with a left-footed shot from 14 meters at Müller (32′). In the 35th minute it was top scorer who caused a stir when he hit the crossbar from 18 meters out. In return, Kenny Prince Redondo failed from nine meters to Müller (36th).
FCK keeper Luthe is sent off
A little later, Luthe misjudged a long ball from Heidenheim. Beste was on the ball in front of the visiting goalkeeper and was then fouled by Luthe (41′).
Referee Tobias Reichel initially allowed the game to continue, but watched the scene during the next break in play and then decided on a free kick for FCH and a red card for Luthe for preventing a clear goal chance.
Marnon Busch with dream goal
FCK coach Schuster reacted and took midfielder Philipp Klement off the field for substitute keeper Avdo Spahic. He had to reach behind him in his first action, because Marnon Busch circled the free kick from a good 22 meters over the wall into the upper left corner of the guest goal to make it 2-1 for Heidenheim (44th). The score went into the break with this score.
In the second round, the FCH started powerfully. After a corner by Beste, Jan Schöppner headed just over the Kaiserslautern goal from six yards out (51′). FCK now tried to defend themselves and to rely on counterattacks. And the very first of these led to success. After winning the ball in midfield, Redondo sent Ritter up the left. Boyd pushed his cross pass in from three meters to make it 2-2. The 31-year-old’s fifth goal of the season.
Afterwards, the Palatinate tried to set offensive pinpricks. In the 72nd minute Boyd came to the end again, but missed clearly from 15 meters. Heidenheim had more possession when outnumbered, but didn’t create enough chances.
In the final phase, the fighting element prevailed on both sides, not much happened in front of the goals. So it ended up being a deserved 2-2 draw.
FCK now against Braunschweig, Heidenheim near St. Pauli
After the international break, 1. FC Heidenheim has to play at FC St. Pauli on Saturday (October 1st, 8:30 p.m.). 1. FC Kaiserslautern welcomes Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday (October 2, 1:30 p.m.).
