Bundesliga
Heidenheim claimed their first win of the Bundesliga season as Mikkel Kaufmann and Sirlord Conteh combined for both goals in a 2-1 victory over struggling Augsburg at the Voith-Arena.
Heidenheim 2-1 AugsburgGoals: 1-0 Kaufmann 47' (assist: Conteh), 2-0 Conteh 54' (assist: Kaufmann), 2-1 Tietz 90+8' (assist: Rieder)
After four consecutive defeats to start the leageu campaign, Heidenheim entered the match as the league's only pointless team, desperately seeking a first win.
Augsburg, meanwhile, had experienced a contrasting journey under new coach Sandro Wagner – beginning with promising victories in the DFB Cup and Bundesliga before suffering three straight defeats.
The opening period was characterised by intensity rather than quality, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Cédric Zesiger received an early yellow card for bringing down Conteh in the fourth minute, but Niklas Dorsch wasted the resulting free-kick opportunity.
The hosts looked the more threatening side, with Arijon Ibrahimović firing over after good work from Omar Traoré in the 16th minute. Conteh had the best opportunities of the half, missing the target twice from promising positions in the 28th and 44th minutes.
Augsburg struggled to make an impact, with neither goalkeeper tested during a disappointing first 45 minutes.
Whatever Frank Schmidt said during the interval had an immediate effect as Heidenheim took the lead just two minutes after the restart.
Conteh delivered a precise cross from the right wing, finding Kaufmann, who produced a clever finish to guide the ball into the far corner beyond Finn Dahmen.
The provider then turned scorer just seven minutes later as Heidenheim doubled their advantage. This time, the roles were reversed with Kaufmann delivering an excellent ball from the right flank for Conteh, who fired emphatically into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.
Fabian Rieder had two good chances to pull one back for Augsburg, firing over in the 58th minute before forcing a fine save from Diant Ramaj with a volley three minutes later.
The match became increasingly fractious with six yellow cards shown in the second half, including three in a single incident after a clash between Dimitrios Giannoulis and Traoré in the 67th minute.
Phillip Tietz eventually scored a consolation in the eighth minute of added time, converting Rieder's cross, but it was too late for the visitors to mount a genuine comeback.
Conteh was the catalyst for Heidenheim's first win of the season, delivering a complete attacking performance.
The forward overcame first-half frustration – twice missing good opportunities – to make a decisive impact after the break. His pinpoint cross set up Kaufmann's opener before he clinically finished Heidenheim's second goal just minutes later.
Conteh's blistering pace (clocking the fastest speed in the match at 34.57 km/h) caused Augsburg's defence persistent problems throughout the encounter.
His combination play with Kaufmann proved the difference between the sides, and despite being substituted in the 68th minute due to apparent discomfort, his contribution had already secured the precious three points that lifted Heidenheim off the foot of the Bundesliga table.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Heidenheim 1.24 - Augsburg 1.02
Fastest player: Sirlord Conteh (Heidenheim), 34.57 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Mikkel Kaufmann (Heidenheim), 10 per cent
Most pressed player: Samuel Essende (Augsburg), 19 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Sirlord Conteh (Heidenheim), +3.65
Fantasy Heroes: Sirlord Conteh (Heidenheim, 316 Points), Mikkel Kaufmann (Heidenheim, 264 Points), Patrick Mainka (Heidenheim, 213 Points)