THE TRUE MASTERS
AMATEUR—HIBERNIAN, 5:3 (2:2)

The match of the season for the Amateure — Scots: teachers or students? — Die Violetten's forward line conquers the match — Teddy Lohrmann scores!

After the end of the Scottish season, the professional team of Hibernian F.C., on Austrian soil, would have its first match against Wiener Amateur S.V., who had played three days before, scheduled for 01/06/1924, Sunday. This match generated great expectations from the Austrian public. After all, British teams attracted crowds due to their fame, which was gained in ancient battles held on continental soil. On the one hand, Die Violetten, who were still fighting to win their first title in Wiener Liga 1. The Scots, in turn, finished the Scottish League in seventh place. The visiting team, however, reached the final of the Scottish Cup, only losing to Airdrieonians F.C., who had finished the league in second place.

Due to the poor performance in the last match against one of the worst teams in the championship which ended in an unexpected 0:0, quality was expected from the Amateure game very different from what had been demonstrated. After all, if the same performance were reflected, a tragic defeat for Austria would be imminent. The team, moreover, would not have one of its main players, the Hungarian Kálmán Konrád.

Heinrich Plhak, then widely regarded as the main Austrian referee, was appointed to lead the match.


International match: 01/06/1924, Sunday 17:00.
Wiener Amateur S.V. — Hibernian F.C. 5:3 (2:2)
Place: Hohe Warte, Vienna.
Referee: Heinrich Plhak (Vienna).
Estimated attendance: 25.000.

Wiener Amateur S.V.: Lohrmann — Popovich, Tandler — Hitl, Konrád I., Geyer — Hierländer, Swatosch, Schaffer, Wieser, Cutti.
Coach: Max Seeman.

Hibernian F.C.: Harper — McGinnigle, Templeton — Kerr, Shaw, Murray — Ritchie, Dunn, McColl, Halligan, Walker.
Coach: Alex Maley.

Goals: Swatosch(30min), Hierländer(35min), Lohrmann(55min[penalty]) and Wieser(2: 65min, 87min) — Dunn(28min), Ritchie(41min) and McColl(89min[penalty]).


That day went down as one of the greatest moments in the history of Viennese football, especially for Wiener Amateur S.V., who played a masterful match, as sublime as last year's against A.C. Sparta. Interestingly, the result of both matches ended identically — 5:3. Although the result was ample, it was even a little flattering for the guests. For those who watched this match assiduously, the Viennese dominance was notorious, eminent in all aspects. It seemed as Die Violetten were the teachers.


MATCH REPORT: The Amateure were better in every respect, in ball technique, tactics, combinations and also in shooting ability. In most phases of the game it seemed as if the Viennese were the teachers and the Scots were their students.


WIENER AMATEUR S.V.

They were superior to their opponents in every aspect, played with plan and strength and didn't miss the shots on goal. This time, the team, which was based almost entirely on technical and tactical knowledge, demonstrated determination and a constant fight for each action.

Theodor Lohrmann stood out through his flexibility, and his actions in the opposing corners, in addition to performing above the famous goalkeeper Harper. The German was still allowed to add a goal to the scoreboard through a penalty kick. Of the Popovich-Tandler full-back pair, it was considered hard to give preference to anyone. While Johann Tandler often disconcerted the Scottish attack with his impetuous moves. Alexander Popovic, thanks to his long-standing routine, always positioned himself so favorably that it was almost impossible for the opponent to complete his actions.

The half-back line demonstrated a contrast to the visiting halves. Alois Hitl played the game of his life. Jenö Konrád was sovereign on the field, his actions exuded confidence. Karl Geyer showed a dramatic improvement in form this team, which was not noticeable in the last games, especially against F.C. Ostmark. The left half-back acted in a larger much area than usual.

The main man in the attack was, without the slightest doubt, Alfréd Schaffer. The Hungarian was inspired, on one of his best days to perform with such mastery. His technical and tactical knowledge was above any reading made by the opponent. Schaffer mapped his energy on the field, always saving energy when he could. He was the main agent of the fluidity of the Viennese team's offensive combinations.


MATCH REPORT: Schaffer, who was the best forward in the field, had apparently made up his mind this time to erase all the sins he had committed in his lifetime from the spectators' memory.


Both inside forwards performed very well against the Scots. After a long time playing as a left inside forward, Ferdinand Swatosch, who had replaced Csámi Konrád, was in excellent condition. The goal he scored was a masterful shot. This time, albeit masterfully staged by Schaffer, Gustav Wieser was able to fully demonstrate his penetrative power and enormous shooting ability. Viktor Hierländer was better than usual and Wilhelm Morocutti was his usual brilliant player.

HIBERNIAN F.C.

There were too many expectations as to what the 1923/24 Scottish Cup finalists would perform. The classic Scottish combination was expected, with fluidity, timing and art. These great old football aspects were only demonstrated on a few occasions, unfortunately, for the Viennese public. The wing-to-wing play and, occasionally, the one-back-system were reflected. In fact, there was nothing for the visitors to teach at Hohe Warte, as they were no longer the teachers, but the students of the violet team. There were times when Hibernian F.C. was even impressed by the football played by the Viennese team.


MATCH REPORT: What you wanted, the precise, exalted interaction, the movement of the ball from foot to foot, and the shot at the right moment, all of this was not achieved by the guests, but only by the amateurs. On the other hand, you could admire some wonderful individual performances from the guests.


Overall, the Scottish team did not perform as expected by the Viennese public. It was an apathetic team, without seriousness and spirit regarding their actions on the field. Even when the score was against them, they continued to play with the same calmness, without increasing their efforts in the slightest. In the second half of the match, Hibernian F.C. players showed some signs of tiredness.

 
 Bill Harper, the international goalkeeper, did not demonstrate a performance befitting his fame. Still, he was one of the highlights of his team. Other names who stood out can be mentioned, but without much prominence in this match: William McGinnigle, Harry Ritchie and Jimmy Dunn.

The right winger Ritchie showed some good things. His red-haired partner Dunn often became dangerous through individual performances. The centre-forward Jimmy McColl made one nice shot just before the end, which resulted in the Scots' third goal. Otherwise you didn't see too much of him.