Head Coach Söndergaard: "We can play even better than today"

Participation in the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil has moved a step closer for Austria's women's national team.

The first leg of the first playoff round in Kosovo was only decided late with a 2-1 score, but Marie-Therese Höbinger provided earlier relief for frayed nerves in the return leg at Wiener Sport-Club-Platz.

After seven minutes, the Liverpool-based player netted the opener, and ultimately the ÖFB selection celebrated a well-deserved 4-0 victory. Match Report >>>

"I am very satisfied with the result; it gives us confidence," said the scorer of the opening goal in an ORF interview. She added: "Of course, we could have converted more chances."

Initially wasteful, then a clear victory

There were plenty of them in front of 3,500 spectators. Höbinger herself could have extended the lead twice before half-time, and Nicole Billa and Sarah Puntigam also missed their chances to make it 2-0.

In the 65th minute, captain Puntigam not only gave herself a present on her 34th birthday when she headed in a cross from Jennifer Klein to make it 2-0. With that, this playoff duel was definitively decided.

In the final phase, Virginia Kirchberger-Prohaska and Eileen Campbell added the third and fourth goals for the ÖFB.

Söndergaard sees room for improvement

Head Coach Lars Söndergaard still saw room for improvement: "I think we can play even better than today. Fortunately, we brought more calm into the game towards the end, and as a result, created more chances and goals."

The advancement feels good, emphasized the Dane after the third win in the fourth match of his era. He is pleased to have brought on Campbell, one of the later goal scorers. "We have a deep squad; it's great to be able to substitute players like that."

They have rediscovered old strengths, Söndergaard commented. One of them is pressing, which clearly worked well this evening. The ball was repeatedly snatched away from the Kosovan players within a short period.

Switzerland Awaits

In the second playoff round, Switzerland awaits at the beginning of December. The Swiss clearly won their playoff duel against Israel with respective 7-3 and 2-0 victories.

"The Swiss have extremely high quality in their squad; we will have less possession, so other qualities will be crucial," said captain Puntigam.

Höbinger is already looking forward to the matches against Switzerland. "We now have two knockout matches; it's about who wants it more and who delivers on the pitch. We don't need to underestimate ourselves," she said.

Söndergaard estimates the chances at 50:50. "They will be completely different matches," he emphasized. Switzerland has a lot of quality in midfield and good, young players.

Belief in a World Cup spot

"We believe in the World Cup spot," says Puntigam. "That is our big goal, our big dream. We will give everything for it, not just for ourselves, but for all of Austrian football."

Even if Austria prevails against Switzerland, their World Cup debut is not necessarily secured yet. The seven best-ranked winners of the second playoff round, according to the overall league ranking of the Women's European Qualifiers 2026, have their ticket secured.

If the favored team wins each of the eight duels in the second round, the ÖFB women, as the lowest-ranked European playoff winner, would still have to enter the intercontinental World Cup playoff in February 2027.