Vera Pauw: Ireland players feared for their bodies in abandoned Colombia clash

'It was something I had never experienced before in my 47 years being involved in football, not as a player, not as a coach,' Pauw told Sky Sports.

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw said her players feared for their safety in the abandoned warm-up match against Colombia (Brian Lawless/PA)

Republic of Ireland coach Vera Pauw admits her players “feared for their bodies” in their abandoned Women’s World Cup warm-up match against Colombia on Friday.

Midfielder Denise O’Sullivan was taken to hospital with a shin injury and the game was halted after just 20 minutes following a number of rough challenges, with the Football Association of Ireland describing it as “overly physical”.