All Time World Cup!
Kocsis 14, Sindelar 15, Puskas 70, Bozsik 72; Albert 23, Ockwirk 28, Krankl 65, Polster 75
SANTIAGO – Nacional
If Hungary’s 3-3 draw against Germany had thrilled the crowd In Montevideo, this match went even further. Eight goals, eight different scorers, end to end attacks and a scant regard for the concept of defending –this was a shoot-out, pure and simple.
Kocsis gave Hungary the lead but straight from the kick-off, Krankl and Ockwirk combined to set up Sindelar for an equaliser. Undeterred, Hungary simply went back up to the other end and Florian Albert floated a delicate chip over the on-rushing Austrian keeper Koncilla.
Once more, Austria hit straight back. Ockwirk hovered on the edge of the box, observing while other players chaotically tussled for the ball in the area. The ball was eventually partially cleared, but Ockwirk was perfectly positioned to drive a clinical low shot back in past Grocsis. 2-2 inside half an hour!
Despite the best efforts of both sets of attackers, there would be no more scoring for over half an hour. Koncilla and Grocsis were both excellent keepers after all, but there was too much attacking intent flying about for the deadlock to last forever.
In the 65th minute Hans Krankl showed his strength to get on the end of a high cross from Gerard Hanappi to give Austria the lead for the first time.
Back came Hungary with two goals in as many minutes, from Puskas and Boszik. Both sides were packed with players from a previous age, when five up front was the norm, and the attitude was usually “Score if you like –we’ll score more.” It was a modern star who rescued Austria though.
Substitute Toni Polster reacted fastest when fellow sub Franz Binder’s shot was blocked by Kalman Meszoly in the 75th minute. Even then, both teams pressed for a winner. Binder was particularly unlucky to see a shot rattle back off the post.
Averaging four goals every three games during his career, Binder was one of the most prolific marksmen of all time, but on this occasion his luck was out.
The final whistle left the enchanted neutrals more satisfied than either of the teams. Both knew that qualification was still up for grabs.
Austria needed to take something from Germany in their last game, while Hungary could not afford another draw against Mexico. Seven scored and seven conceded in two games meant Hungary had to be concerned about what would happen if they eventually met a defence that could keep them out.
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