Wales v Austria

Austrian Football Association

Austria have qualified for seven FIFA World Cup finals as well as the 1938 FIFA World Cup, from which they were withdrawn following their annexation by Germany. They have also qualified for three UEFA European Championships, the first for which they qualified as co-hosts with Switzerland in 2002.


History

The Österreichischer Fußball-Bund (ÖFB) founded in 1904 became a member of FIFA in 1905 and was a founder member of UEFA in 1954. However Austria's first international match came in 1902 with a 5-0 defeat of neighbours Hungary.

The team enjoyed success in the 1930s under coach Hugo Meisl, becoming a dominant side in Europe and earning the nickname "Wunderteam"".

Having finished in fourth place in the 1934 FIFA World Cup and winning a silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, Austrai qualified for the 1938 FIFA World Cup in France, however Austria was annexed to Germany in the Anschluss on 12 March 1938. On 28 March, FIFA was notified that the ÖFB had been abolished, resulting in the nation's withdrawal from the World Cup.

Following the end of the Second World War Austria separated from Germany and competed at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in London, however they withdrew from the 1950 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.


Wales record v Austria

Wales' first meeting with Austria was a 2-0 friendly defeat in Vienna two months before Austria's 3rd place finish at the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

In qualifying for the UEFA 1976 European Championships Wales faced Austria at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham knowing a draw would ensure they topped the group.

An Arfon Griffiths goal was enough to secure the win in front of 27,578 fans in Wrexham and send Wales through to the quarter finals.

Head to Head

 PWDLFA
Home640276
Away502348
ALL114251114

Match details

no.datescorescorers (wales)venue 
20409/05/1954Austria 2-0 Wales Praterstadion, ViennaFr
21123/11/1955Wales 1-2 AustriaTapscottRacecourse Ground, WrexhamFr
31404/09/1974Austria 2-1 WalesGriffithsPraterstadion, ViennaECQ
32219/11/1975Wales 1-0 AustriaGriffithsRacecourse Ground, WrexhamECQ
43729/04/1992Austria 1-1 WalesColemanPraterstadion, ViennaFr
52926/03/2005Wales 0-2 Austria Millennium Stadium, CardiffWCQ
53030/03/2005Austria 1-0 Wales Ernst Happel Stadion, ViennaWCQ
60006/02/2013Wales 2-1 AustriaBale, VokesLiberty Stadium, SwanseaFr
63206/10/2016Austria 2-2 WalesAllen, o.g.Ernst-Happel-Stadion, ViennaWCQ
63702/09/2017Wales 1-0 AustriaWoodburnCardiff City Stadium, CardiffWCQ


Austria Honours

FIFA World Cup 3rd Place: 1954


Welsh players to have made their debut against Austria

Eleven Welsh players have made their debut for Wales against Austria with both Chris Coleman and Ben Woodburn also scoring on their debuts.

Wrexham goalkeeper, Brian Lloyd, not only made his debut against Austria but also designed the programme cover for the match!