England

3-4

Austria

Keegan 33

 

Pezzey 18, 70

Coppell 47

 

Welzl 28, 39

Wilkins 63

 

 


International Friendly
Prater Stadium, Vienna
13 June 1979

Though England lost this, their last match against Austria, there was some glory to be taken from the Prater Stadium as the side won over the home support in a match full of attacking football.

England, building patiently and moving forward as a unit, were outgunned on the night by an Austrian team full of flair and breaking from defence with exceptional pace and skill.

A warning of things to come was given by the home side as early as the second minute when Baumeister hit a 20-yarder not far from Peter Shilton's left-hand post.

Steve Coppell shot wide after picking up a rebound from a defender, but in general, England's early work was slapdash, too many balls being given away for comfort.

After missing a good chance, Austria went ahead on 18 minutes. Kreuz took a corner quickly and the ball was moved with speed from him to Baumeister to Jara, whose cross found Pezzey moving in behind a square England defence to head beautifully home.

Another eight minutes and England were in further trouble. A flowing Austrian attack found Jara who played the ball back for Jurtin who gave Welzl a chance which he converted.

England came back through Keegan, who headed home Coppell's cross and then Bob Latchford could have pulled England level but he couldn't finish.

It came as no surprise when Welzl added his second and Austria's third after 39 minutes. As an England attack broke down, Jurtin turned a challenge from Mick Mills, fed Welzl who in turn beat Phil Thompson before cracking a left-footed drive past Shilton.

Ron Greenwood did his stuff at half-time and two minutes in to the second period, Peter Barnes played in Keegan and the Hamburg man's shot was fumbled by Koncilia and Coppell knocked the loose ball home.

Ray Wilkins then brought England level on 63 minutes with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area but, just when England looked to be ready to go on and claim a famous win, Austria went back in front.

Sara's free-kick found Pezzey, who climaxed a brilliant display by heading powerfully past substitute goalkeeper Ray Clemence.

This was England's fifteenth match against the Austrians and it was the first time they had conceded more than three goals in a match since losing to Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in May 1964.

Team Details

Austria: Koncilia, Sara, Obermayer, Baumeister, Pezzey, Hattenberger, Welzl (Schachner), Prohaska, Kreuz, Jara, Jurtin

England: Shilton (Clemence), Neal, Mills, Thompson, Watson, Wilkins, Keegan, Coppell, Latchford (Francis), Brooking, Barnes (Cunningham)