HOW THE AUSTRIANS OVERTOOK THE ENGLISH DEFENCE IN THE SECOND HALF
Jean Eskenazi | 08/12/1932, London

The England-Austria match kept everything it promised. It was one of the most beautiful we have ever seen. Played perfectly, rich in drama, disputed always very correctly — there was not a free kick for hand-ball.

England won, but by just one goal, and in that respect the game had all the consequences that we continentals wanted. An Austrian success would have had a false bearing, for, if the Austrians have only one Sindelar, one Rainer, one Vogl, the English have ten Hampsons, ten Jacks, ten Crooks. But the Austrians had the merit of having been the first to open the eyes of British sportsmen by showing them that a gap does not separate continental football from theirs. Yesterday's meeting will hold a significant place in the history of world football, and it will undoubtedly be the starting point for a new English sports policy.

THE ENGLISH WERE AMAZED

The Austrians literally stunned the English, who expected a massacre like last year, during the match with Spain.


— England is not in danger, it will be a walk for her — wrote a great English critic before the match.


The Austrians, throughout the game, were at least evenly matched with their opponents. They were superior in the art of passing, almost as good in mastering the ball. They only missed shots.

The English were more efficient, more direct. Their big advantage was in the shots from the forwards.

Sindelar was prodigious. "He's an Alec James", we hear everywhere.

Yes, but he is a centre-forward and, although he is the most formidable strategist who has ever operated on a football pitch, an English manager has confessed to me that he will not want all the gold said world in an English team.

Yesterday, strength triumphed over finesse. The comparison between the two centre-forwards is typical in this regard.

LACK OF FINISH AND BAD LUCK

When the kick-off was given, the stadium was packed. At half-time, Prince George appeared and congratulated the players.

The Austrian defense floated a bit at first, especially Sesta. With Rainer and Blum, the Austrian team could come to rest with a score equal to that of the England team.

Sindelar and Vogl both missed a good chance. The execution had been perfect but it was the lack of finish that made them feel and also a bit of bad luck.

THE ENGLISH ON THE BALLS

The second half was an incredible spectacle. Austria, for ten minutes, was dazzling. There was only one team on the field. The ball went back and forth between the feet of the Austrians without an English player being able to touch it. The opposing defense was on the balls. In quick succession, they had to concede three corners and if Blenkinsop had not shown real brilliance, Austria would undoubtedly have taken the advantage.

During these ten minutes, the Austrian half-backs were the kings of the field, being everywhere at once. The right half Nausch even almost scored a goal after a superb run.

THE SPORTMANSHIP OF THE ENGLISH

The English public, who is very athletic, vigorously encouraged the Austrians. These made a splendid match.

Hiden made a big impression. He played like an English goalkeeper that is to say that he did not hesitate to clear often with the foot. There was only one mistake: it was when he took an easy ball for a corner. This same corner would later cost his team a goal.

Of the two backs, Rainer was the better. He had a painful start, but he recovered thereafter, and he made a marvelous exhibition.

IF SINDELAR HAD THE SHOT...

The half-backs were, in the second half, the masters of the situation. They easily bore the comparison with their counterparts. Finally, the forward line was the best division of the team. They had a perfectly linked game and looked more like a line of club team forwards. Sindelar was great and he only lacks one thing: the shot, to be an incomparable player.

At his side Gschweidl was very good. Zischek was perhaps the most dangerous Austrian forward. Vogl had a rough start as he seemed scared and in recovery from his accident. But the third Austrian goal was his work. Finally, Schall was the weakest of the team. He was beaten and did not send his customary shots.

THE INFERIORITY OF THE ENGLISH HALF-BACKS

The England team, in the opinion of English critics, did not play a very good game, especially in their half back-line. The England half-backs, who would delight any French team, were dominated by the Austrians. Except for Kell, the defense was very good. Moreover, in this match, despite the number of goals scored, the attacks were superior to the defenses. Hibbs, the goalkeeper, had two wonderful saves but the mainstay of the England defense was Blenkinsop, who was the best of the four defenders of the match.

The English forward line was excellent. It could have been better though. Crooks scored a beautiful goal. Hampson was continually on the defenders, hampering their action. Finally, Hought scored a goal with a shot that goes beyond anything you can imagine: a real cannonball.

The two insiders not having confidence in their half-backs had to withdraw enormously, and by that very fact, they could not be there in the decisive occasions.

In any case, a superb match which was a great success with English sportsmen.

Mr. Langenus' refereeing was impeccable.