ÖFB Women beat Slovenia 1-0 and celebrate a breakthrough at the start of Söndergaard's tenure

Söndergaard, who succeeded Alexander Schriebl at the end of April, made four changes to the starting lineup compared to his predecessor's last formation. Mariella El Sherif was in goal, playing despite a finger injury and securing the result with several saves, including one against Zala Kustrin in the 81st minute.

However, the early stages of the match did not necessarily belong to the hosts. Chiara D'Angelo had an early chance in the 4th minute. Sophie Hillebrand was unsuccessful in the 20th minute, before Eileen Campbell hit the post in the 42nd minute from a corner by Naschenweng. The teams went into the break with a goalless 0-0.

The Golden Moment: Naschenweng's Winning Goal

After halftime, it took only ten minutes for the ÖFB women to strike. Hillebrand played a through ball to D'Angelo, who broke through on the left. Her cross was acrobatically volleyed towards goal by Julia Hickelsberger-Füller. Slovenian goalkeeper Zala Mersnik could only parry the ball, and Naschenweng tapped in for the 1-0 lead. Hickelsberger-Füller had slightly touched the ball before, and Campbell had crucially disrupted the Slovenian defense's clearance.

In the 62nd minute, Annabel Schasching missed the target with a long-range shot, before Naschenweng missed the chance to make it 2-0 in the 72nd minute with a shot that hit the crossbar. The Slovenian team, increasingly under pressure defensively, responded with furious attacks. In the 81st minute, El Sherif made a crucial save against the unmarked Kustrin, and in the third minute of stoppage time, Izabela Krizaj hit the Austrian crossbar for Slovenia.

Söndergaard brought on three fresh players in the second half: Barbara Dunst replaced Sophie Hillebrand in the 68th minute, Melanie Brunnthaler came on for Julia Hickelsberger-Füller in the 78th minute, and Nicole Billa took over from Eileen Campbell in the 84th minute. Annabel Schasching received a yellow card in a hard-fought match. Sarah Gutmann was suspended for the ÖFB women due to a yellow card accumulation.

Standings: Austria Overtakes Slovenia

With the victory, the Austrians moved past Slovenia in the standings to third place, now having four points, one more than the Slovenians. This marked the first time the team had earned points in two consecutive matches in this qualification campaign. The match against Slovenia also served as successful revenge for the 0-1 defeat the team suffered in Koper in March.

Anniversary: 250th International Match for the ÖFB Women's National Team

The match also marked the 250th international game in the history of the Austrian women's national team. Sarah Puntigam played her 165th match in the ÖFB jersey. Before the game, Puntigam acknowledged the historical significance: "This is something special for everyone who has ever worn this jersey."

Outlook: Away Match in Norway on Tuesday

In the standings, Germany leads Group A4 ahead of Norway. The German team and Norway also played each other on Friday evening. Next Tuesday, Austria will conclude the league phase of the World Cup qualifiers with an away match in Norway, which starts at 6:00 PM and will be broadcast live on ORF1. Slovenia will host group leaders Germany on Tuesday at 6:00 PM.

Regardless of finishing third or fourth, it is certain that the ÖFB women will participate in the play-offs for the World Cup finals in the autumn. However, a third-place finish would improve their starting position for the draw on June 18, when both play-off rounds will be determined. With the 1-0 win against Slovenia, Söndergaard's team currently holds the better cards.

New Coach, New System: Söndergaard's 3-4-3

The 67-year-old Dane Söndergaard, who sent the team onto the field in a 3-4-3 system with a back three of Claudia Wenger, Virginia Kirchberger, and Verena Hanshaw, and a midfield band with Naschenweng and D'Angelo on the flanks, and Schasching and Puntigam centrally, expressed relief after the debut victory. With Naschenweng, who plays for Bayern Munich, and El Sherif, who is contracted to Bremen, two foreign-based players were in the starting lineup who made the difference.

The new Sport-Club-Platz in Vienna provided a fitting setting for this new beginning. The team had set high goals for the first ÖFB women's international match at this venue and delivered. Even though the woodwork was hit three times in this match – by Campbell before halftime, and by Naschenweng and Krizaj after the break – the ÖFB selection kept their nerves and held onto their narrow lead.

Söndergaard had emphasized before the match that points were the most important thing and that the team's playing form would come with time. With their second win of the season in the current qualification, the team has provided their new coach with a solid foundation for the upcoming tasks. However, a different caliber of opponent awaits in Norway on Tuesday.

For the ÖFB, the result is also a signal to the domestic football public that the development of the women's national team is to continue under new sporting leadership. With the successful start in Vienna and the upcoming away match in Scandinavia, the decisive phase of this World Cup qualification begins for the ÖFB women, where every additional point can influence the seeding for the play-offs.