The Republic of Ireland team has officially crashed out of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, after taking on Nigeria in Brisbane today.
The team’s final game ended with a scoreless draw, thanks to a world class save from goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan – who won player of the match.
While the Girls in Green finished their World Cup campaign on a positive note, tensions were high between the team’s captain Katie McCabe and manager Vera Pauw.
Couldn’t be prouder 💚
We’ll be back ☘️#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/V3UB9aOWAA
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 31, 2023
During the second-half of the match, McCabe called for “fresh legs” on her side of the pitch, which Pauw ignored.
According to the manager, McCabe had asked for Sinead Farrelly to be taken off.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Pauw said: “Why would we change? If Katie McCabe says that she wants a change that doesn’t mean… She’s not the coach, eh? Everybody was doing so well. I said ‘what do you want Katie, take our best player off?’
“We made the changes when they were necessary.”
The manager said she had no problem with Katie’s request, but insisted she would always make the final decision.
“A player is allowed to be emotional, is allowed to say that, it’s fine. But during the game, I step back and analyse and make changes that are necessary.”
When asked again if she refused McCabe’s call, Pauw told the Irish Times: “No, no, no, because a player doesn’t ask and you refuse.”
“A player can ask always, but as a coach it’s not a refusal, as a coach you make decisions on what is necessary. A player can say anything to the coach, at least to me.”
Katie has since tweeted the emoji of a mouth zipped shut, which fans believe is a thinly-veiled dig at Pauw.
🤐
— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) July 31, 2023
Despite whispers of tensions within the team, the manager confirmed she would be at their homecoming on O’Connell Street in Dublin’s city centre this Thursday evening.
“Why would I not be at the homecoming?” Pauw told reporters.
“I’ll go back with my team.”
