FIFA World Cup: The game is abandoned - German opponent Colombia causes fear

soccer Colombia

The brutality of Germany’s World Cup opponents gives the game away

Status: 07/15/2023| Reading time: 2 minutes

They seem to love going there: Colombian soccer players

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The friendly match ends in a scandal: because the Irish players feared for their health, they canceled the match against Colombia after only 23 minutes. The Ireland coach’s blunt words should serve as a warning to Germany.

Hs is the absolute classic on the country’s football pitches, which can be heard at least three times per game after a failed attempt or a particularly difficult climb: “Slow down a bit, we all have to get back to work on Monday!”

Irish footballers do not have to appear in the office on Monday, but they still fear for their health in the friendly match against Colombia a week before the World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand. After only 23 minutes into the friendly match against South America, the Irish national team decided to leave the field and abandon the match. The reason for this was Colombia’s very rough style of play, which was more akin to friendly parties than a rugby party.

“The match at Meakin Park in Brisbane became very physical and after consultation with the match officials it was decided to end the match,” the Football Association of Ireland said. The Colombians played “physically over the top”.

Quarterback Dennis O’Sullivan was even rushed to the hospital after a violent foul with a shin injury. However, the dreaded breakage was not confirmed there. Instead, she suffered a soft tissue injury and had to wear a special protective boot.

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Dennis O’Sullivan may miss the World Cup due to injury

Credit: pa/Action Plus/Ashley Cahill

“There was a risk of serious injury. The doctors feared it, but the X-rays showed that there is hope,” Ireland coach Vera Bowe said.

‘The players felt great danger’

Pauw supported the decision to abandon the game. She didn’t want to risk any more injuries ahead of Ireland’s first World Cup match on 20 July. “The players felt a very big danger, and they expressed their fear. They were very upset. There was no other choice but to stop the match to protect the players,” Bao said.

The Colombian federation did not see the whole matter in a big light, saying: “Ireland decided after 23 minutes that they did not want to continue playing. Although all operations and training of our teams are in line with the laws of the game, healthy competition and fair play, we respect the decision of the opposing team.”