Erceg a ‘huge loss’ for Football Ferns

Annalie Longo couldn’t help but wonder if more could have been done to prevent Abby Erceg retiring from the Football Ferns for a second time.

The North Carolina Courage captain has not commented on her reasons for retiring from international football for the second time in the space of 15 months. But Longo, who has been her room-mate on many tours throughout the years, hinted that she was unhappy in the New Zealand environment.

‘‘There are all sorts of reasons,’’ Longo said. ‘‘Obviously she’s got to be happy and it sounds like she is more settled and happy in her environment in America. To be able to do what we do and [considering] all of the hard work and sacrifices that we make, you’ve got to enjoy it and if that’s not something she was enjoying on tour then maybe you have to reassess.’’

But not only was Erceg the most experienced player in the squad but she was also one of their best too. Longo said she would be a huge loss to the Football Ferns, who have arrived in Wellington to prepare for Sunday’s friendly against Japan.

‘‘She’s overseas, she’s doing well and she’s happy, which is the most important thing. She’s obviously a huge loss for the team but in saying that it’s a great opportunity for other players to step up. We’ve got some young players coming in and we also have some players who are switching positions into centre-back roles and we’re trying new things.’’

Longo admitted that it had not been smooth sailing since Andreas Heraf replaced Tony Readings as coach last year, describing the past few months as a ‘‘bumpy ride’’. However, she had a positive outlook on the future of the Football Ferns and was excited to play against Japan – the team she scored her first international goal against – in front of what is expected to be a record crowd at Westpac Stadium.

‘‘It’s there and you can’t avoid it. We have discussed it and we all want to achieve at the World Cup, that’s the dream, but to do that we have to be a united front and have a united culture, so we’re working really hard on that. We’re even looking at getting some people in to help us with that but going forward we’re set for the challenge.’’

Unlike most of her team-mates who play professionally overseas, Longo has spent the past few months playing for the Cashmere Technical under-17 boys’ team. Although she was ‘‘open’’ to offers, Longo said she was settled in Christchurch, where she works for Mainland Football, and if she continues to play amateur football then so be it.