1931-32
Austria had an unbeaten run of 14 games between April 1931 and December 1932.
In May 1931 they demolished a depleted Scotland team by outplaying them at their own game, based on short passing.
12.4.31 Czechoslovakia 2-1 (Vienna, Coupe Internationale européenne)
3.5.31 Hungary 0-0 (Vienna, Coupe Internationale européenne)
16.5.31 Scotland 5-0 (Vienna)
4.5.31 Germany 6-0 (Berlin)
16.6.31 Switzerland 2-0 (Vienna)
13.9.31 Germany 5-0 (Vienna)
4.10.31 Hungary 2-2 (Budapest, Coupe Internationale européenne)
29.11.31 Switzerland 8-1 (Basel, Coupe Internationale européenne)
20.3.32 Italy 2-1 (Vienna, Coupe Internationale européenne)
24.4.32 Hungary 8-2 (Vienna)
22.5.32 Czechoslovakia 1-1 (Prague, Coupe Internationale européenne)
17.7.32 Sweden 4-3 (Stockholm)
2.10.32 Hungary 3-2 (Budapest)
23.10.32 Switzerland 3-1 (Vienna, Coupe Internationale européenne)*
7.12.32 England 3-4 (London)
*Austria winners of 2nd Coupe Internationale européenne
The unbeaten run came to an end at Stamford Bridge - critics in England felt that they had had a narrow escape, and that had Austria played their natural game from the start that they would have embarrassed England:
English team lucky to win. There could not be the slightest doubt that as a team (Austria) were the superiors.
Manchester Guardian
It was victory and no more, and it was by no means easily earned.
The Times.
The unbeaten run featured the following personnel:
Goalkeeper: Rudolf Hiden
Right Backs: Roman Schramseis, Karl Rainer
Left Backs: Josef Blum, Karl Sesta
Right Halves: Georg Braun, Johann Mock
Center Halves: Josef Smistik, Leopold Hofmann
Left Halves: Karl Gall, Walter Nausch
Outside Right: Karl Zischek
Inside Right: Friedrich Gschweidl
Center Forward: Matthias Sindelar
Inside Left: Anton Schall
Outside Left: Adolf Vogl
Manager: Hugo Meisl
Trainer: Jimmy Hogan
Austria's place amongst the top teams in the world endured right up until the country was absorbed by Germany in 1938.
The retrospective Elo World Rankings have them briefly in top position (following a 3-2 win over France) in May 1934. They were favourites to win the 1934 World Cup, but in Italy only Italy could win. In the semi final Enrique Guaita scored the only goal after Meazza had clattered into the Austrian keeper, Platzer, forcing him to spill the ball.
The retrospective Elo World Rankings have them briefly in top position (following a 3-2 win over France) in May 1934. They were favourites to win the 1934 World Cup, but in Italy only Italy could win. In the semi final Enrique Guaita scored the only goal after Meazza had clattered into the Austrian keeper, Platzer, forcing him to spill the ball.