Vera Pauw prepares to make 'horrible' final calls

Vera Pauw is prepared to shoulder the "horrible" responsibility of shattering players' dreams as she prepares to name her final 23-player squad for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The list will be revealed in less than a week's time, with three back-up players also permitted to travel Down Under.

In the wake of Thursday's 3-2 friendly win against Zambia, Pauw admitted the process of trimming down her extended panel has filled her with dread.

Although there's a core of certainties, there's several agonising choices to make, with the competition for places epitomised by Claire O'Riordan's excellent showing against the Zambians.

In April, Lucy Quinn wasn't even in the original squad for the double-header against the USA but was called up after Megan Campbell withdrew. Quinn went on to deliver a player-of-the-match performance in the second clash with the world No 1-ranked Americans.

Celtic defender O'Riordan, who has similarly found herself on the periphery recently, also seized her opportunity with an excellent showing against Zambia, nabbing a fine headed goal and acquitting herself well all night.

With everyone pushing, and everyone desperate to make it, Pauw is feeling the strain.

"But it's part of elite sport. It's part of it but it hurts."

"It's horrible. It's really horrible," she said. "But for them it's worse. I need to take it on my shoulders. It will turn around after those decisions are made and then we can go ahead.

"But until that moment it's not the ones who make that are in my mind but the ones who do not make it.

"This is the first game we've had since coming together. All those players who have not made the squad [for the Zambia game], they must feel bad. I've texted every single player.

"I did it on the