Vera Pauw hailed her side's performance as Ireland bowed out of the Women’s World Cup with a hard-fought scoreless draw against Nigeria.
Ireland came into the game off the back of two defeats in their opening group games, and while they were already eliminated from the tournament, they showed great heart to compete with Nigeria throughout to ensure that they had something to show for their endeavours at their maiden World Cup.
Pauw’s side end their Group B campaign with one point from three games, having only managed to score one goal throughout, from Katie McCabe’s early corner against Canada in that 2-1 defeat.
"It’s a fantastic feeling," said Pauw, speaking to RTE Sport after the game, when asked her thoughts on securing a first World Cup point.
"Eleven times African champions, and I think we really had the better play," added the Ireland manager.
"They always looked dangerous, but we were in control and we’ve created chances. We need to get there to score and we have done that so much better than in the earlier games.
"If you see what they have done against Australia, and how they have put Australia under pressure and how they use their pace, not one time they could do that to us.
"So gameplan worked again and I’m so proud."
Vera Pauw was delighted by how Ireland's game plan was executed against Nigeria. #wwc2023 #coygig
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Pauw felt that her side were able to take a more progressive approach against Nigeria, utilising the space, by employing "pocket players", which led to Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan getting further forward.
And the manager said that she is very proud of the overall performance of her side at the tournament, competing well in a group with three quality teams, with little between the sides, despite the two earlier defeats.
"We can be really, really proud, because three top ten nations – I said before Nigeria for me is a top ten nation – and we have played equal games against them.
"We lost by a penalty, an own goal, and now a draw, so it's amazing.
"Those players came into the tournament as very good players, and they go out of the tournament as world stars. It will change their lives. Not only in their experience that they had, but they will get other contracts and more opportunities, and the next generation can step in."
