Maltese youngsters hold Austria to a 1-1 draw

The picture featured today was forwarded to me by Robert Balani. Floriana fans will surely remember Robert as a skilful centre-half from the club's glorious era of the 1970s. He was the first and only player of Indian origins to represent Malta in football. He also captained the Malta Youths side, which brings us to today's subject.

In 1972-73 the Malta Youths team were drawn against Austria in the preliminary round of the UEFA Youth Tournament. In those days, such international fixtures were still rare and therefore generated significant interest among Stadium followers.

The Malta Youths team, coached by Tony Formosa, prepared well for the occasion. Most of the youngsters at Formosa's disposal were already established with their clubs in the top division of Maltese football.

Players like Ernest Spiteri Gonzi, Chris Vella, Balani, David Bagley, Eric Schembri and goalkeeper Grima were on the verge of making a name for themselves in the top echelon of Maltese football.

The youngsters showed a lot of enthusiasm in their preparations and although nobody expected them to beat Austria, everyone was looking forward to a good game at the Stadium. They were not disappointed.

To tell the truth the Maltese youngsters were, on the whole, outplayed, and outmanoeuvred by the slick Austrians. The visitors produced a dazzling display of quick accurate passing which was impossible for the Maltese to match.

The hosts, on the other hand, had their own flashes of brilliance but they failed to keep up the momentum for long stretches.

The Maltese started like a house on fire, taking advantage of the Austrians' early struggles to cope with the difficult surface of the Empire Stadium. The home team attacked flat-out and were rewarded with a goal after only 18 minutes.

In Malta's first serious raid, Borg sent a high cross into the area. Hauser, the Austrian goalkeeper, came out to intercept but Xuereb got to the ball first and scored with a glancing header.

This early goal seemed to shatter the Austrians' confidence. A few minutes later, the Maltese won a free-kick outside the area and Schembri's shot just missed the upright by a whisker. Another chance came Spiteri Gonzi's way but the Hibs striker misjudged the flight of the ball and failed to head meaningfully.

The Austrians seemed shocked and dazed by the Maltese youths' fiery start. However, Formosa's lads failed to keep up this early promise. They elected to defend their slender lead, thus allowing the Austrians to gain lost ground. The visitors quickly settled down.

As the game wore on, the difference in class between the two teams became more obvious. The Youths were unable to wrestle the midfield supremacy from the Austrian trio, Tupreiser, Macek and Prohaska. Despite their clear superiority, the Austrians failed to put Grima's goal under any real pressure.

Schembri tried to lift Malta's morale with some mazy dribbles while Chris Vella huffed and puffed up front in an attempt to keep the front line going. However, it was the defence that kept the Maltese in the game.

Led by Balani, Malta's back-four fought for every ball and managed somehow to stop the Austrians from scoring up to the half-time whistle.

In the second half, however, flaws began to appear in the Youths' defence. Austria's crafty winger Schon caused havoc every time he got the ball and it was from one of his moves that Kircher brought out the best of goalkeeper Grima.

A sigh of relief came from the partisan crowd when Italian referee Pieroni failed to whistle for a penalty when Macek was floored in the area.

Equaliser

However, the Austrians were not to be denied. A few minutes later Schon streaked into the Maltese box, resisted Balani's brusque challenge and shot past the advancing Grima.

The Austrians now went all-out in search of victory but the best chance of the half belonged to Malta.

Monreal powered through on the left but his menacing cross was blocked by Trafella. The ball rolled back to Monreal who saw his second effort hit the upright, much to the disappointment of the on-rushing Schembri who was just a little too late to connect. With a little more luck, the Maltese would have gone home with a famous victory.

For the record

UEFA Youth Tournament - The Empire Stadium, Gzira, March 29, 1973
Malta vs Austria 1-1

Malta U-18: Grima, Borg (Bagley), Debattista, Balani, Mamo, Farrugia, Schembri, Spiteri Gonzi (Vassallo), Vella, Xuereb, Monreal.

Austria U-18: Hauser, Trafella, Constantini, Tupreiser, Macek, Koch, Schon Prohaska, Weisl, Pichi, Kircher (Cern).

Referee: Sig. Pieroni (Italy).

Scorers: Xuereb (Malta); Schon (Austria).