Soccer-Ireland reached Women's World Cup 'in spite' of Pauw, says Caldwell

FILE PHOTO:Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Scotland v Republic of Ireland - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - October 11, 2022 Republic of Ireland's Diane Caldwell celebrates winning the match to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo

(Reuters) - Ireland defender Diane Caldwell said her team reached the Women's World Cup "in spite" of their former coach Vera Pauw and that she had failed to get the best out of the players due to inadequate preparations.

The 60-year-old Dutch coach led Ireland to their first major tournament this year in Australia and New Zealand, where they exited in the group stage.