FK Austria Wien defeat bitter rivals in ÖFB Frauen Cup | OneFootball

In what was an aggressively fought game at the NV Arena in Pölten, 11-time champions SKN St. Pölten were defeated by league rivals FK Austria Wien.

The last time any other club than Pölten won the ÖFB Frauen Cup was in 2012, when SV Neulengbach beat FCW Innsbruck on penalties.

A modest crowd turned up in Pölten to observe the two strongest teams in Austria go head-to-head in the second round of the ÖFB Frauen Cup. Both Pölten manager Laurent Fassotte and Wien boss Stefan Kenesei went for strong starting line-ups for the fixture. Both teams are avoiding the tradition of giving younger players minutes in the cup, given the magnitude of the opposition.

Starting XIs

SKN ST. Pölten

Schlüter; Vracevic, Laino, Elmore, Rukavina, Brunold, Penau, Nagy, Križaj, Guttmann, Klien (C).

FK Austria Wien

Pal; Schöffel, Weiss, Cordes, Strode, Kirchberger, Triendl, Uka, Weilharter, Pfattner, Wenninger (C).

Turbulent first half for both sides

Pölten made a strong start to the game. They immediately got high up the field through Brunold, leading to an early chance that went unanswered. Elmore, the home side’s English forward, managed to capitalise on some space in the Wien box. The resulting shot nipped the post before bouncing back away from goal, keeping the score 0-0.

It was Wien who broke the deadlock. A strong run from wing-back Louise Schöffel allowed her the space to cross the ball into the Pölten box. The cross found its target and was calmly finished by Pfattner to make it 0-1.

(Image credit: FK Austria Wien 2025)

The referee Ernes Bajric could be easily accused of having a poor game in the first half. Eventually, succumbing to the increasingly physical action, they awarded a penalty to the home team.

Pölten managed to slot home the spot-kick through club captain Klein to level the score at 1-1. Yellow cards were eventually handed out to a player from each team, as the intensity continued, with the refereeing team seemingly acknowledging the physicality. The game remained tense throughout the remainder of the first half, and the two teams went in with an equal scoreline

Early goal throws of tactical plans

The second half got underway with a familiar fast pace as FK Austria Wien pressured the home side. It took just 42 seconds for Wien to have the lead for the second and final time of the game.

Pfattner, the former Juventus forward, managed to create space across the Pölten goal-line, and Lotta Cordes was in the right place to hammer home the winning goal.

The celebrations were slightly marred for Wien. Goal-scorer Pfattner suffered what looked like a season-ending injury, to the uncomfortable distress of all players on the field.

The reactions

New Pölten boss Laurent Fassotte spoke candidly about the result.

“I’m disappointed,” he admitted. “It was like a final to us, that’s how we prepared. We conceded two easy goals, especially the second one.”

(Image credit: SKN ST. PÖLTEN 2025)

The manager also focused on several beneficial takeaways from the game.

“We have to turn the page. We have still a long road ahead of us, both in the championship but against Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday.”

There was a positive feeling amongst the FK Austria Wien camp post-game.

United States national Courtney Strode commented: “I’m so proud of the team, we’re so happy. It was awesome when our second goal came so fast, but then you have to go back into the game with a lot of time left and keep our system and keep our intensity, but also play smart.”

What comes next for the teams

The ÖFB Frauen Cup will have a new winner for the first time in almost a decade and a half, with Austria Wien now becoming favourites to lift the cup, having reached last year’s final. Austria’s capital side will now travel to Belgium on the 12th November 2025 to face RSC Anderlecht in the Europa League.

SKN St. Pölten will face off with Chelsea, the current holders of the Champions League, on the 11th November 2025.

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