Super Falcons’ foes Canada end up losing forward to ACL injury

 Canada and Portland Thorns forward Janine Beckie will miss this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup scheduled for Australia and New Zealand.

Beckie had confirmed on Friday that she has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.

Canada are to face Nigeria’s Super Falcons in their opening Group B game on July 21 before meeting Ireland and hosts Australia at the July 20 to Aug. 20 tournament.

In a statement on their website, reigning National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champions Thorns said Beckie would miss the remainder of the 2023 season.

They added that she would “have surgery in the coming weeks to repair the injury.”

The 28-year-old, who was part of the Olympic gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo Games in 2021, has scored 36 goals in 101 appearances for Canada.

“Heartbroken is an understatement,” Beckie, who has also played for Manchester City Women and Houston Dash, said in a post on Instagram.

“Having worked so hard during off-season for what was set to be one of the biggest seasons of my career, defending the title for Thorns and of course playing in the World Cup for Canada, being out for an extended period of time is a difficult pill to swallow.

“I’ll be supporting my team mates for both club and country this season and it goes without saying I’ll be back better and stronger than ever!”

Beckie’s injury will be a big blow for Canada, who are looking to win their maiden World Cup at this year’s showpiece event, which is being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.