Manchester City’s Beckie a long term full-back option for Canada says head coach Priestman | OneFootball

Canada head coach Bev Priestman says that Manchester City’s Janine Beckie could be a long term option at full-back after she impressed in the right-back position in the nation’s 5-1 victory over New Zealand in Ottawa on Saturday.

Beckie has operated in a right-back role for her club and it was her performances in that area of the pitch which gave national team boss Priestman the idea to trial her there against New Zealand.

Despite playing deeper than in her more favoured attacking position, Beckie was involved in all five of her side’s goals as they recorded a winning start to their two-game ‘Celebration Tour’ after winning the Gold Medal at this summer’s Olympic Games.

When speaking to the media including FAWSL Full-Time ahead of Canada’s second match against New Zealand, Priestman hailed Beckie’s performance in the first game, labelling it as ‘phenomenal’.

“I thought she was phenomenal,” Priestman said. “I think she was involved in all five goals.

“I had seen her at Manchester City in the Champions League a long time before I got this job and it was definitely a future thought (playing full-back) for Janine.

“I thought she was fantastic.”

Beckie put in some quality runs down the channel against New Zealand and Priestman believes that specific attribute could be useful to Canada in the next 12 months as they begin their bid to feature at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

She added “When you are facing ‘Tier Two’ opposition, teams outside of the top 10, I think Janine brings some attacking quality in that position that you can’t argue with. I thought she was outstanding, she took it on, she’s a real team player. It wasn’t about Janine trying to score or wanting to be a forward like you might get with some players.

“She has put her foot down to be a starting full-back for this team given the type of opposition that we will come up against in this next year.”

The second ‘Celebration Tour’ game between Canada and New Zealand kicks-off at 12.30am on Wednesday morning.