Our players feared for their bodies: Ireland WWC coach

| July 15, 2023

Ireland’s World Cup preparations look to be back on track after their warmup match against Colombia was abandoned after 20 minutes, with coach Vera Pauw saying her players had “feared for their bodies” in the spicy clash. 

The Irish will kick off their World Cup campaign in front of a full house against the Matildas at Stadium Australia on Thursday. 

Ireland’s official Twitter account on Saturday morning provided an encouraging update on key midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, who was rushed to hospital during Friday’s ‘friendly’ with a suspected shin injury.

“Positive news for Denise O’Sullivan X-Ray and CT Scan show no fracture, Denise will work with WNT Medical Staff on a return to play procedure,” the message said.

The early finish to Friday’s clash with Colombia came about because the match “became overly physical and it was decided, following consultation with the match officials, to end the game,” the Football Association of Ireland said in a statement.

In an interview with Irish sports show Off the Ball, Pauw said: “We do not fear any physical contact you know that, we are ourselves a team that within the rules of the game, we are a very tough playing team.

“The players, (for) the first time since I am coaching them, they feared, they feared for their bodies.”

The Colombian Football Federation released a statement of its own which said, while the training of its teams was “framed within the rules of the game, healthy competition and fair play”, it respected the Republic’s decision.

With her side set to face the Matildas at a sold out Stadium Australia, experienced defender Niamh Fahey said no dress rehearsal, no matter how big the audience, could truly prepare Ireland for their World Cup debut.

“I don’t think you can realistically replicate that scenario, even if you wanted to try,” Fahey said at an open training session at Brisbane’s Meakin Park.

“You ready yourself like any other game and you try and not think about the outside. 

“As cliche as that sounds, it’s 11 v 11 on the pitch and you focus on the game.” 

Liverpool skipper Fahey has played in some massive venues before, winning the FA Cup with Chelsea at Wembley in 2015 before relinquishing the trophy to Arsenal in the final the following year.

“We know that it’s going to be a challenge, but this is what we worked our whole careers for,” the 35-year-old said.  

“To be on the biggest stage and for it to be sold out. It’s a massive occasion, there will be nerves, it’s natural.

“But that’s what you want. As an elite sports person you want the biggest stage. 

“Everyone on this team wants to be on that pitch, wants to be on that platform, so you have to be ready to embrace it.”