Tensions simmer between Katie McCabe and Vera Pauw

Tension simmered between Vera Pauw and Katie McCabe during the Republic of Ireland's goalless draw against Nigeria, with the Arsenal star's calls for second-half substitutions ignored by the manager.

McCabe urged Pauw to bring on fresh legs as the Girls in Green looked to end their first ever World Cup campaign with a victory in Brisbane.

The Dutchwoman did not make a change until the 84th minute, when she introduced Marissa Sheva and Abbie Larkin for Heather Payne and Lily Agg. Centre-back Diane Caldwell entered the fray deep into injury-time and the clash ended in a stalemate that saw the Nigerians progress to the last 16 alongside Australia.

Ireland fly home tomorrow, and have a homecoming event planned for Thursday on Dublin's O'Connell Street. However question marks linger over Pauw's future given her contract with the FAI is about to expire and there is no new deal currently on the table.

Her relationship with McCabe is now also under the microscope.

"Why would we change?" Pauw said when asked about her captain's request.

"If Katie McCabe wants a change, it doesn't mean… she's not the coach. Everybody was doing so well. So I said 'what do you want Katie, taking the best player off?' No.

"A player is allowed to be emotional, is allowed to say that, it’s fine. But during the game, I step back and analyse and make changes that are necessary."

Pauw rejected the suggestion that she had refused to listen to McCabe, stresssing: "No, no, no, because a player doesn't ask and you refuse. A player can ask always, but as a coach it’s not a refusal, as a coach you make decisions on what is necessary.

"A player can say anything to the coach, at least to me.

"Sinead Farrelly was arguably the best player on the pitch at that moment, so I