After 20 minutes, The Republic left the cordial encounter behind closed doors because it had become “over physical.”Denise O’Sullivan, a midfielder who was hurt during the match, had a severe shin bruising but not a fracture.
O’Sullivan, 29, will be examined prior to Thursday’s World Cup start against Australia while wearing a protective boot.
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, Republic manager Pauw remarked in an interview with Off The Ball.
“The players feared, they feared for their bodies [for] the first time since I am coaching them,” I said.
O’Sullivan, a crucial member of Pauw’s team and a midfielder for the North Carolina Courage, is now battling for fitness to play in the Australia match in Sydney.
The Republic, who is competing in their first World Cup, will then play the Olympic champions Canada on July 26 before facing Nigeria in their final Group B encounter on July 31.
Following O’Sullivan’s injury at Meakin Park, the uncapped friendly was called off after the Football Association of Ireland spoke with the referees.
In a statement, the Colombian Football Federation said that while its teams were trained “within the framework of the game’s rules, healthy competition, and fair play,” it accepted Ireland’s decision to forgo the match.
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