A friendly match between Women's World Cup-bound teams Ireland and Colombia was abandoned after becoming overly physical, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said on Friday.
The game in Brisbane, Australia, which was played behind closed doors, was called off after 20 minutes.
"The game, which was held in Meakin Park, Brisbane, became overly physical and it was decided, following consultation with the match officials, to end the game," the FAI said in a statement.
"The Ireland team then underwent a full training session to continue preparations for their opening game in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023..."
Irish media reported that midfielder Denise O'Sullivan was taken to hospital after suffering a shin injury during the match.
A 'friendly' in name but not in nature, the Republic of Ireland's behind-closed-doors encounter with Colombia came to a premature end earlier, with Denise O'Sullivan taken to hospital for a scan. pic.twitter.com/bSU9lhyE3J
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 14, 2023
It's approaching midnight here now and Denise O'Sullivan hasn't yet returned to the team hotel. In hospital having a scan. Vera Pauw is waiting til the morning (middle of the night back at home), when she knows more about the injury, to speak
— Mark McCadden (@markmccadden) July 14, 2023
Reuters has reached out to the FAI for comment on the injury.
Ireland are playing in their first World Cup which is being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia from July 20-Aug. 20.
They begin their Group B campaign against hosts Australia on July 20 before facing Canada and Nigeria.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
