As Frenchy says:
"AFAIK, these are NOT strike-anywhere matches ....."

Safety matches work because the striker strip contains phosphorus (and grit to produce friction) and the match head contains potassium chlorate. The friction from running the match head across the striker causes heat which produces a reaction between the phosphorus on the striker and the potassium chlorate in the match head. Thus is fire born.

Better living through chemistry.