Two goals in the opening fifteen minutes of this game killed any remote chance there might have been that this semi final could have turned out to be a memorable match for the neutrals.

Missing two of their normal starting defenders (Madl suspended, Panny injured) and their defensive midfielder Michael Stanislaw (suspended) Austria had a mountain to climb before the players had even caught their second wind.

Micola scored for the Czech Republic with less than five minutes gone and Fenin had the easiest of tap-ins to put the game beyond Austria’s reach. Two goals down Austria seemed unable to change their tactics as the midfield stayed deep isolating lone striker Erwin Hoffer.

Austrian coach Paul Gludovatz tried to shuffle his hand in the second forty five minutes but the Czechs were just too well organized and resolute to give-away a two goal lead. At the end of ninety minutes the Austrians had only achieved one shot on target.

The Czech Republic now awaits the winner of the other semi final between Chile and Argentina set for Thursday night in Toronto.