Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan faces a race to be match for her aspect’s World Cup opener in opposition to hosts Australia after a deal with in a behind-closed-doors pleasant with Colombia left her needing hospital therapy and brought on the sport to deserted.
A scan on O’Sullivan’s shin revealed no fracture, however she returned to the crew resort sporting a protecting boot and utilizing crutches following a recreation during which her coach Vera Pauw stated the Irish gamers feared for his or her bodily security.
“There was potential for a big injury (to O’Sullivan), the doctor feared that last night, but that the X-ray showed there is a chance she makes it,” Ireland coach Vera Pauw advised state broadcaster RTE.
“It is a serious injury. The first 48 hours are very important, she is off her feet, (but) we have good hopes.”
Alongside captain Katie McCabe, O’Sullivan is one among Ireland’s most essential gamers, and it was her pinpoint go that arrange striker Amber Barrett for the objective in opposition to Scotland that ensured their qualification.
Friday’s recreation in opposition to Colombia was purported to be a chance to offer all her gamers a run earlier than the match, however Pauw determined to finish the sport due to what she deemed to be reckless play by the Colombians.
“At first, there was a huge challenge on Ruesha (Littlejohn),” she advised reporters. “We ourselves as a team play within the rules of the game, (we’re) a very tough-playing team. This was out of the rules of the game.”
The problem on O’Sullivan resulted within the recreation’s second yellow card, and Pauw stated she consulted with each the Colombian teaching employees and officers on the Football Association Of Ireland (FAI) earlier than withdrawing her gamers from the sphere.
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While the lack of O’Sullivan can be an enormous blow, Dutch-born Pauw stated her aspect had ready for each eventuality.
“We played against Zambia without Denise and we won 3-2 … we have a squad who have a knowledge of their tasks and the execution of those tasks,” she stated.
“Every single scenario has been discussed over this period … and this is one of them: what do we do if she is injured? So those scenarios are ready, for every single player. They were ready before this.”
Playing at their first main finals, Ireland faces Australia in a sold-out match opener on Thursday. It takes on Olympic champions Canada in Perth on July 26 earlier than rounding off Group B in opposition to Nigeria in Brisbane.
