A glut of injured gamers leaves Canada with a number of query marks throughout the squad with 100 days to go till the Women’s World Cup, head coach Bev Priestman advised reporters on Tuesday.
The sixth-ranked Olympic champions misplaced 2-1 to fifth-ranked France of their pleasant in Le Mans on Tuesday, with a number of veterans lacking, together with midfielders Desiree Scott and Quinn, centre again Kadeisha Buchanan and ahead Janine Beckie.
Beckie was dominated out of the quadrennial match after struggling an anterior cruciate ligament damage final month.
“In many ways as a coach you would like to get rid of the clutter early. I don’t have that luxury,” stated Priestman.
“I’ll be probably taking an extended group into the preparation camp and making a call from there because of the timelines on some of the injuries that we’ve got.”
Priestman stated she would hold a detailed eye on upcoming National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) video games and the remainder of the European season.
“I have to try and get the best team possible to Australia and New Zealand,” she stated. “(Planning) with and without some very critical players who, you know, did get us on the podium and have a massive amount of caps and experience.”
France, enjoying solely their second match since Herve Renard was named head coach final month, scored minutes into the second half with a header by Grace Geyoro earlier than substitute Lea Le Garrec added to their lead with a shot from exterior the field.
OL Reign ahead Jordyn Huitema scored for Canada minutes later with a shot into the underside proper nook.
“We’ve stretched ourselves and we’ve been stretched with the absences we’ve had,” stated Priestman, pointing to the extent of competitors France introduced together with latest opponents on the SheBelieves Cup – Japan, Brazil and the United States.
“I’m just so glad we’re learning these lessons now.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com