Return of Erceg ‘a big bonus’
Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni believes a critical moment in Abby Erceg’s return to the team came at Muriwai Beach in November.
When the team went into camp in Auckland ahead of the Oceania Women’s Nations Cup, they spent a day with mental skills coach Aaron Walsh, who helped the players put behind them the tumultuous time they had under former coach Andreas Heraf.
‘‘That get-together, and those conversations, played a significant role in encouraging Abby to come back to the team,’’ Sermanni said.
Erceg, 29, has made just two appearances for the Ferns in the past two years, retiring for the first time in early 2017, when she was captain, to highlight New Zealand Football’s lack of support for the team, then again in May last year, after coming back at Heraf’s urging, only to be dismayed by the environment he had created.
Once Heraf resigned and an independent review found players’ complaints about his behaviour to have been substantiated, a second return was always on the cards for the defender, who has earned 132 caps since her debut in 2006.
After Erceg’s decision was confirmed yesterday, Sermanni said it didn’t take a lot to convince her.
‘‘Kiwis love to play for their country, and Abby’s no different, and she’s a player at the peak of her career.’’
Sermanni said having her on board would be a massive boost for the Ferns as they prepare for the Women’s World Cup in France in June, where they are trying to win a match and advance to the knockout stage for the first time.
‘‘Every team, no matter what level you’re playing at, benefits from having the best players, and Abby is one of our best players. That’s a big bonus for us and that certainly helps us.’’
Sermanni has also welcomed veteran midfielder Katie Duncan back from retirement this week, ahead of a four-day camp in Auckland where he will oversee a 29-strong group of mostly domestic-based players.
Next week, he will name a squad for the Cup of Nations in Australia next month, when the Ferns will face the hosts, Argentina and South Korea.