Austria gegen Hungary 8:2

Commanded by Sindelar, at Hohe Warte, the austrians reflected the brilliantism of their centre-forward. Birlem, from Deustchland, was in charge of the match, but neglected the right actions, thus causing the match to drop performance. The goals were scored by Anton Schall(4), Matthias Sindelar(3) & Fritz Gschweidl(1) - Lázsló Cseh(2).

A few weeks before the match, Hugo Meisl brought up some new ideas to face the Hungarians at Hohe Warte. As he went from place to place, he used to laugh at every café that his plans would demolish the whole Hungarian selection. Indeed, who saw Meisl tought he was joking around, yet some spectators might though that Meisl would be talking serious business. Contrary to most of the football entities, Hugo Meisl opened his eyes when he did not know something and if he did not understanding yet, he would pay attention until he learned. He noticed as soon as the Italians achieved their miraculous results one after the other, read the technical and tactical explanations published in the Italian sports press, and looked at how the theory was applied in practice.

In a matter of fact, yes; he, Hugo Meisl, used to appreciatte many presented tactics in football's world. On the other hand, the Vienna school had to be the standard style of football but with some modifications, as Matthias Sindelar mentioned here. According to the rumours, Meisl would combine the metodo with their own style. Sindelar, moreover, would play between both defenders, abusing his pace to beat them, who were considered slow footballers.

The W-formation

What is a 'W-formation'? It was a new idea which was spreading all over the Continent. This formation, however, was always being spoke in England, for instance. To the Hungarians, it was a new thing, but not to Meisl.

24/04/1932

The first surprise of the day was the lack of rainfall predicted by meteorologists. The old imperial city was sunny all morning, although at noon the weather was a bit cloudy, but by the start of the match, the spring sun was shining again.

The Hungarian players spent the short morning - between late breakfast and early lunch - walking. After lunch, relaxed, and then gathered in Kovács's room for a short massage. Before 4 p.m., the bus arrived and the players got int. Lyka forgot something upstairs in his room and, like a rabbit, returned to the bus with his stuff. Szabó & Závodi were the last two to get on the bus. Federal Captain Lajos Mariássy seemed calm and also demonstrated it in his affection.

Already at Hohe Warte, Mándi and Mariássy visited the Austrian locker room, where they expressed their condolences to Nausch. The father of the Austrian half-back was buried on Saturday.

Almost at 5.p.m, boths teams entered the ground. Hungary with red jersey and white shorts; Austria with white jersey and black shorts. The selections were:

Hungary

Szabó

Takács I.         Mandl  

  Lyka            Kálmár            Lázár

Cseh            Toldi
Závodi                     Turay                    Kohut

------------------------------------------------------

   Vogl I.                  Sindelar                  Zischek

        Schall            Gschweidl

Hofmann
     Nausch                                              Braun
      Blum         Schramseis

Hiden

Austria

The match started on fire with both teams releasing fast attacks and combitions. After some moves by Kohut, the Austrians gathered the ball against and started a new attack which caused the first goal.

Zischek was found with space, used his burst of speed and crossed the ball to Sindelar. Takács I., who tried to intercept, did not calculate the move greatly, and saw Sindelar control the ball with his chest, awaits for it to go to the ground and sends a close shot directly to the net. 3min, 1:0

At this moment it was obvious that the Austrian tactics were different and that the Hungarians did not know how to stop these fast attacks. Hungary tried to combine - and they did it exceptionally -, but the opposition had too many players in front of Hungary's forwards.

Hungary, however, brought their game back with outstanding play and superiority, but the Austrians with accuracy attacks scored another goal. 

After an action of Sindelar, Gschweidl sent a pass to Zischek; the right winger crossed the ball to Sindelar - disputed the ball with Mándi - who scored Austria's second. 13min, 2:0.

The Hungarians claimed for a foul, but Birlem ignored them.

Despite the opponent's two-goal advantage, the Hungarian team were still calm. They trusted in their strength. They played nicely and scored in the 16th minute. 

Lyka sends a free-kick, Turay heads the ball which goes right in front of Lázsló Cseh, and the right connector shoots the ball. Hiden could not do anything about it. 16min, 2:1.

Based on the game, the spectator's feeling was definitely that the Hungarian team was better. Nevertheless, the Austrians got in front of the gate with much facility. In the 31th minute, they found the net for the third time.

Sindelar's hat-trick.

Yes, it was uncommon to see Sindelar scores three goals in the same match. Actually, it was only the second time he did it while playing for Austria. For Austria Wien, he scored a few times. Indeed, it was not his main characteristic, due to Sindelar being more of a creative agent than an executor. However, theses tactics enhanced his performances by ton. 

Hofmann was with the ball and passed to Vogl I. who connected with Schall. The insider crossed the ball to Sindelar. Sindelar jumped for it. Szabó was also there, but he was late with a thought and Sindelar finished the third goal. 31min, 3:1.

One thing that must be praised is the performance of Gschweidl, who was more used to the old ot csátár játéka. Gschweidl went back for the ball, almost creating a half-back line of four players. He was, by far, the most withdrawn forward of the team. Gschweidl, however, a few times came to try a shot, which actually result in of the goals. His passes enhanced the right winger Zischek and also he took advantage of Sindelar's actions.

Schall starts.

The fourth goal reflects one of the characteristics of Anton Schall: the oportunism. Something close to three or four minutes after Austria's third goal, Schall scored. 

Hofmann passes the ball to Sindelar who beats Mandí and sends a shot. Szabó saved the ball, but he could not grap it, leaving an open goal to Schall, who was waiting for a second chance. The left connector only had to tap-in. 34min, 4:1.

Tactical analysis

At the interval of the match, someone shoutted: "Congratulations to Meisl who won the match with his brain". Meisl, on the other hand, argued that he match was not over. It the minister of agriculture, who was a fan of football what commented it. Well, indeed, Meisl's tactics used in offensive style brought some new view to the spectators. The Austrians were fast; Hungarians were artistic, but innefective. 

Cseh, Hungary's best forward.

Cseh was an exceptionally dribbler and outstanding shoot. Too bad Závodi, the youngster, did not level to help Cseh. Frequently, Cseh would drop deep to receive the ball from the half-backs.

Turay
Toldi                           

                           Cseh

Lázár            Kálmár            Lyka   

Austria's offensive system vs. Hungary's defensive system.

Even before the match, some specialists would comment that Hungary's defence would have problems against such stars as Austrian's forwards. This could be explained by the fact that Mándi & Takács I. were not fast enough to catch up the the strong opposition. They were, indeed, tactical masters, but not athletical footballers. The injury of Sárosi, too, also gave serenity to their comments, as they though that Kálmár would not be able to stop Sindelar.

The Hungarians opted for a different style of marking: wing half-backs would mark the Austrians wingers, the centre-half would mark the centre-forward and the two defenders would face the two insiders. That was Mariássy plan. However, due to the W-formation, things did not go as he planned. The two withdrawn insiders we far awar from the the defenders, thus causing Takács I. & Mándi-Mandl to mark no player.

Takács I.               Mándi  

   Vogl I.                     Sindelar                     Zischek

Kálmár

      Schall               Gschweidl