Robert Sara (born 9 June 1946) is an Austrian former professional footballer who played as a defender. His younger brother Josef was also a footballer.
Club career
Sara was bornborn in Oberlainsitz, near St. Martin im Waldviertel. He became a club legend at Austria Wien, after staying 20 years at the club and winning major silverware with them. He started his professional career at 19 and won nine league titles, 6 domestic cups and played in the 1978 Cup Winner's Cup Final which they lost 4–0 against Anderlecht. His 571 games is a record for the most appearances by a player in the Austrian top flight.[1]
Sara was chosen in Austria's Team of the Century in 2001.
International career
Sara made his debut for the Austria national team in a 3–2 win over England at Wembley in October 1965 and played in the 1978 FIFA World Cup finals.[2] Captain of the team, he played the decisive pass to Hans Krankl to score the winning goal against arch-rivals West Germany in a game dubbed The miracle of Córdoba, which the Austrians won 3–2 and which was Austria's first win against West Germany for 47 years.
He earned 55 caps, scoring three goals.[3] His last international was a May 1980 friendly match against Argentina.