World Cup play-off Austria women: Stars secure must‑win, Billa scores

In the World Cup play‑off, the Austrian women’s national team secured the required mandatory win on Friday in Pristina. Nicole Billa scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, after the Kosovar opponents had taken an early lead.

Early lead of the Kosovo representatives

The Kosovars started strongly and used a quick counter‑attack to take the lead. Despite the Austrian possession, no clear dominance developed because the spaces were tight and offensive ideas were lacking.

Outlook for the second leg in Vienna

Coach Lars Söndergaard emphasizes the importance of the first leg and wants to achieve an away win in the second leg in Vienna to keep the World Cup dream alive. Captain Sarah Puntigam calls for cleaner ball play and more scoring chances, while forward Marie Höbinger sees her role as creating chances and finishing them herself.

The return of Sarah Zadrazil, Marie Höbinger and Lilli Purtscheller strengthens the team, as they are fit for action again after long injury spells. Söndergaard plans two to three personnel changes to curb the opponents’ counters, especially against Ereleta Memeti and Modesta Uka.

Austria's women beat Kosovo 4-0 in Vienna

Captain Sarah Puntigam emphasizes the need to get the opponents’ defensive block moving and to make better decisions. The players should act autonomously, without instructions from the coaching zone.

In the first leg, Lars Söndergaard’s team showed that a more compact game is necessary. The analysis of the first match led to tactical adjustments that are to be implemented in the second leg.

ÖFB women close in on World Cup ticket after convincing 4-0 win over Kosovo

The second leg takes place on Tuesday at 18:00 at the Wiener Sport‑Club ground in front of at least 2,500 spectators. A home win in Vienna would give Austria a favorable starting position for qualification.