A GREAT BATTLE
SLAVIA—CORINTHIANS, 4:7 (2:2)


A few days after the match against an Austrian XI — First Vienna and Vienna Cricket&FC —, Corinthians headed directly to Prague, to play two matches against S.K. Slavia, which was considered the best team on the European continent. For the public in Prague, this match would be an exceptional sporting event, as Corinthians was a highly respected team with a very elevated football culture. About Corinthians in Prague, a local journalist wrote:


— Today the long-standing wish of our audience to see the most famous team in England and thus in the world in a football match will be realized. For five years all the reports about the visit of Corinthians unfortunately proved to be "ducks", these days the ancient dream became a reality.


The red and white team from Prague was in an exceptional moment, for many the home team was at the peak of its form in the last matches. The team had achieved excellent results in their last matches. Corinthians, in turn, had not lost a single match, nor had they conceded any goals in their matches played on the continent. Many spectators expected an excellent performance from the visiting team, claiming that it would be a beautiful outcome if S.K. Slavia could achieve a worthy result.

The match was scheduled for 09/04/1904, Saturday, at 17:00, under the command of Mr. Horáček.


International match: 09/04/1904, Saturday, at 17:00.
S.K. Slavia — Corinthians F.C. 4:7 (2:2)
Place: Letná, Prague.
Referee: M. Horáček.
Linesmen: ?
Estimated attendance: 4.500.

S.K. Slavia: Hejda — Nový, Vesély — Krátký, Hrabě, Tmal — Baumruk, Benda, Franta, Košek(c), Vaněk.
Coach: -

Corinthians F.C.: G. E. Wilkinson — W. J. Oakley, W. U. Timmis — O. E. Wreford-Brown, M. Morgan-Owern, H. A. Lowe; Vassal, S. H. Day, G. O. Smith(c), L. J. Moon, B. O. Corbett.
Coach: -

Goals: Benda(4min), Košek(3: 44min, 50min, 66min) — S. H. Day(5: 5min, 13min, 55min, 70min, 73min), L. J. Moon(86min). 


The match started at 5:00 pm, but there was no caution about each team's playing style initially. After all, quick goals were scored in the first minutes, through Emanuel Benda and Samuel Day. S.K. Slavia defended well until Day added another goal for the visiting team. After that, constant attacks were made by Corinthians, but Hedja made impressive defenses. When everyone thought that the first half would end with an advantage for the English, Košek tied the score. The crowd goes inside.

Around 10 minutes of rest was enough for the teams to return to the field.

The second half started with a lot of enthusiasm for both sides, constant attacks were carried out. At 50 minutes of play, Jenda — Košek — got the ball from the defence, and stays it with for a few seconds while running. The opponent's defensive system tries to stop the inside left, but they could not catch up to him — the third ball is scored sent to the Corinthians' net. 3:2.

The goal scored by Košek filled the audience with great enthusiasm. Slavia was again in front. However, in the 55th minute, a beautiful combination resulted in Day scoring his hat-trick.

At this point in the second half, S.K. Slavia was already demonstrating a much more defensive posture, seeking the counter-attack as an option. Corinthians, in turn, especially the forward line, was demonstrating machine-precise combinations with imprecise speed.


O. NEIL: The Corinthians, excellent as individuals, excellent as a unit, models of ball technique and tactics, are the team whose play has given Prague the best opportunity to improve Czech football.



S.K. SLAVIA

As the match progressed, it became clear that S.K. Slavia had changed their style of play against the powerful Corinthians because, as was claimed, they would not be able to overcome the exceptional combinations of the British team. Slavia's game was not characterized by combinations, but by very effective rushes, especially Jan Košek. Later, in the second half, S.K. Slavia acted in a more defensive manner, largely due to the drop in physical performance.

Hejda was considered one of the best of the match. Nový intercepted several advances.

The half-back line kept a more defensive style of game. They were not feeding the forwards that much and also did not reach a high level of performance. 

From the forward line, right winger Baumruk, inside forwards Benda and Košek reached a higher standard. Košek did not combine as usual, but he showed all his quality in his dashes.


CORINTHIANS F.C.

The English team arrived in Prague with some uncertainty regarding S.K. Slavia. After all, it was reported in Budapest that the Prague team was very harsh in its actions, even reaching the point of disloyalty.

However, S.K. Slavia demonstrated the opposite of what was reported to the Corinthians team. The Prague team, moreover, did not play their usual futbol, but due to the superiority of the English team's combinations. Corinthians reflected precise, quick combinations, with just a few touches, reaching the opponent's goal. Their machine-like combinations were far superior to the local team, who eventually had to adhere to kick and rush. Perhaps, the aspect that was not consistent with the visiting team was their shooting power, which also ended up colliding with the exceptional performance of the S.K. goalkeeper. Slavia.

As expected, it was reported that the best part of the English team was the forward line, which was lead by G. O. Smith. Furthermore, it was reported that Samuel Day had scored five goals for Corinthians.

*   *   *

After the match, a correspondent asked G. O. Smith about his opinions on the match:

— The famous G. O. willingly answered a few questions. Above all, he himself was touched by the fact that in Budapest and Vienna, Slavia was portrayed as the cruelest team they will face on their tour.

G. O. Smith: We went into the match with real fears, which, to our delight, were allayed after a few minutes. The game was completely fair. I even have to admit that in England far more players push their shoulders away from the ball.

— What do you think of our team?

G. O. Smith: Your right and left inside forwards are eye-catching; the inside left in particular would be first class in England if he combined more. Half-backs are not up to the forwards. The goalkeeper is one of the best I have ever played against.

— Did you play for goals? It seemed to me that at first you played lukewarmly.

G. O. Smith: No, we played with sincerity all the time; The 4 goals we conceded are quite a shame. I'm surprised that Slavia doesn't combine enough. Your men make the big mistake of not holding the spot, leaving the enemy back between them and the winger when the insider crosses. What a big mistake! It is also wrong that the forward returned; At most, insiders are allowed to do so. Slavia's game is kick and rush.

— Slavia combines; but against you, they were aware that they would not achieve much with combinations.