Slavia Prague 3 - 2 Aberdeen

The Aberdeen football team played the first match of their continental tour "yesterday," when they met and were defeated by the Slavia club at Krieg, Bohemia, by 3 goals to 2.

The Aberdeen football team played their first match of their Continental tour at Prague today, when they were defeated by the Slavia club by 3 goals to 2. Aberdeen was the first of the Scottish provincial teams to appear on the continent, and in consequence of this, and the renown the team had won in Scottish football during the past season, great interest was evinced in the match, not only by the people in Prague, but also in the surrounding districts. Prague is a centre where the typical Continental Sabbath prevails, and the match with the Scots was one of the absorbing topics of conversation during the day. Long before the time for the kick-off, the huge crowd had gathered at the admirably adapted enclosure, and the enthusiasm of the spectators reflected the hold which the association game has got on the Continent.
The promoters of football in Prague have been most enterprising, and to the various British clubs which had been on tour on the continent in recent years the Bohemian city has always been one of the principal places of call. When the teams took the field today they got a great ovation, the reception of the visitors being exceptionally hearty. The weather conditions were brilliant, with terrific heat, and indeed this factor affected the visitors during the game. There was great enthusiasm, and the heartiness with which the spectators watched every passage of the play was one of the features of the match. Any particularly clever bit of play by either homester or visitor was rapturously applauded in true Bohemian fashion.
Right from the start it was apparent that the game was to be of the keenest description, and if ever the Aberdeen players had the idea that they were to have a walk-over, their minds were speedily disabused on the point. The excitement of the spectators was intense, and this spreading to the players took the best out of both sides. Aberdeen played more with the intention of giving an exhibition display, but not so the Slavians, who putting their whole heart into the game, and encouraged by the thousands of spectators, played for all they were worth. This Slavia Club may have yet much to learn of the finer touches of the game, but it cannot be denied that they know the way to goal. The Aberdeen halves and backs had to put in all they knew to check the eager rushes of the Slavians, and so persistent and energetic were the defenders in the opposition that many brilliant movements on the part of the Aberdeen forwards were checked in the making. The goals scored by the home club drew out along and thunderous applause, but the occasions on which Davidson and Main found the net for Aberdeen were marked by appreciations no less demonstrative. From start to finish the play was of the keenest description, and the game greatly enjoyed by all. As the teams trooped from the field they were lustily cheered.
The return match between the clubs will be played tomorrow, and on Saturday Aberdeen will appear at Krakow, Austrian Salicia.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 15th May 1911