Disastrous start, glorious finish for MFA XI

In 1949, the organisers of the Christmas Tourney came up with a novel idea. FC Wien, of Austria, and Yugoslav crack side Red Star Belgrade were invited to take part in a triangular tournament together with the MFA XI. As a build-up to the tournament, the visitors figured in matches against the top five Maltese clubs of the moment.

Before playing in the tournament proper, the visitors played the following matches:

Austria Wien - vs St George's 9-1; vs Valletta FC 2-1; vs Floriana FC 1-0; vs Sliema Wanderers 2-1.

Red Star Belgrade - vs Sliema Wanderers 3-0; vs Floriana FC 2-1; vs Hibernians FC 5-0; vs Hamrun Spartans 14-0.

Everything was now set for the highlight of the tourney with the MFA XI meeting the visitors in the three-team tournament.

The first match took place on January 6, 1950. Red Star, perhaps conscious of the festive period, presented the MFA XI with bouquets of flowers. Was this a bad omen?

In 1948, SK Vasas had also presented flowers to the Maltese before beating them 12-2. A coincidence, no doubt, but in 1950 history repeated itself when the national XI were trounced 10-0.

Apart from the flowers, the Maltese were given a practical lesson on how football should be played. It came so easy to the Yugoslavs, the way they tore the locals defence to pieces and left it lying around in tatters.

The following day, Red Star played out a goalless draw with FC Wien. Still, it was a thrilling match and at the end the huge crowd roared out its appreciation for a classic encounter. In those days, before the advent of television, these games provided the Maltese with a taste of the thrills of international football.

Because of the goal-difference rule, FC Wien needed to beat the MFA XI 11-0 to win the tournament. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the Austrians would win, especially after the MFA's disastrous outing against Red Star. Huge scores were mentioned and very few people were prepared to bet money on the national team. Those who did, however, made a bundle.

The match looked good on paper. It became great on the pitch. It was not a classic, perhaps, but for speed, enthusiasm and sheer entertainment value, the game could not be bettered.

The Maltese, with their backs to the wall, played the game of their lives. In a magnificent 90 minutes, they wiped away the bitter taste left by the 10-0 defeat at the hands of the Yugoslavs.

Fielding practically a new team, the MFA XI obtained a very creditable 1-1 draw and with luck they could even have emerged victorious.

After the usual preliminaries, the teams stood round the centre circle for a minute's silence in memory of Tony Nicholl's sister who had died the previous Saturday.

The MFA XI attacked from the word go and kept the Austrians defending for most of the early period of the game.

Slowly, but surely, however, FC Wien came into their own. In the 21st minute, after a movement on the right flank, Sobotka found the net with a low shot that went in near the upright past goalkeeper Wenzu Gabaretta. At half-time the score was 1-0.

The Viennese were the first to attack on the resumption but the Maltese defence was always up to the situation. Then, Pullu Demanuele raised the spirits of the Maltese crowd by waltzing round two defenders before passing to Joe Bennetti whose shot went wide.

Encouraged by the cheering of the crowd, the Maltese stepped up their efforts. Schembri raced down the right flank and swung over an accurate cross-shot which was partly cleared by Stotz. Azzopardi's well-taken left foot half-volley whizzed into the net past the upright with Maier left standing.

This goal fired the Maltese and FC Wien began to look rattled under pressure. The game now developed into a do-or-die battle between two teams bent on gaining the advantage.

In the 35th minute Grech was injured in a tackle and the Maltese had to carry on with 10 men. With a player less, the locals fought a rearguard action, relying on breakaways for the last 10 minutes. The pressure on them was hard by they succeeded in keeping their opponents at bay till the final whistle.

For the record

January 8, 1950 - The Empire Stadium, Gzira

MFA XI vs FC Wien 1-1

MFA XI: Gabaretta, Preca (Borg Cardona), Zammit, J. Bennetti, Dalli, Grech, Camilleri (Azzopardi), Borg, Schembri, C. Bennetti, Demanuele.

FC Wien: Maier, Stotz, Lindner, Linc, Bohm, Srb, Curda (Riegler), Herman (Sicmund), Chink, (Silbanek), Weidisch, Sobotka.

Scorers: Sobotka; Azzopardi.