Ferns squad missing a leading presence
Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova admits the uncertainty over former captain Abby Erceg needs to end soon, for the sake of the wider squad.
Erceg won’t be involved in New Zealand’s homecoming games against South Korea in Christchurch today and on Tuesday, continuing a sustained period of unavailability.
The 32-year-old has featured in only two of the 14 matches since the Tokyo Olympics.
Border closures and niggling injuries were factors in some of those absences but most have been due to prioritising her club, the North Carolina Courage, where she is captain.
However, the United States club season is now over but Erceg seemingly still wasn’t available for the trip home.
Klimkova revealed she had been unable to contact the veteran defender while planning for the Christchurch series.
“When I reached out to her a couple weeks ago, I couldn’t reach out to her,” Klimkova told the Weekend Herald. “So I haven’t spoken to her before [this series].”
Klimkova’s sole focus now is South Korea but she wants to prioritise contact with Erceg after that.
“I really want to connect with her after Christchurch and ask about our plan in 2023,” Klimkova said. “Because obviously, the [club season] is finished for her at this point.
“So we’ll see how her desire is to be representing her country and playing the World Cup at this point.”
It’s not the first time Erceg has gone missing.
She retired in 2017 due to frustrations with New Zealand Football, then after a brief comeback, retired again in 2018, before returning in February 2019, during the build-up to the last World Cup.
Since the 2016 Rio Olympics, Erceg has played just one-third of matches (16 of 48) for the Ferns.
It is frustrating for Klimkova. Erceg remains one of New Zealand’s best players and her pace, presence, anticipation and experience would add much to the squad. Her 146 game international career stretches back to 2006, and her leadership tenure (2013-17) saw draws with Japan (then reigning world champions) and the US and a win over Brazil in 2013, while the 2015 World Cup campaign is easily the Ferns’ best.
Her pedigree is unquestioned but does that justify special treatment? “I am a patient person and sometimes people are asking how long am I going to be patient,” said Klimkova. “But I know who she is. I know how good a player she is and what she can bring to the team. So I’m very aware of her quality but I am also very aware we need to have players who have desire to represent their country and passion to do that. So if she has it, then I am more than happy to bring her back. If she [doesn’t], then we are looking for other players that are knocking on the door.”
The South Korea series continues the ongoing audition for places in the 2023 World Cup squad. “There is no confirmation [of World Cup places] at all,” said Klimkova “We have a handful of players who are in a good position to make the roster, but it’s still eight months to go, and during that time, so many things can change and so many things can happen. “The roster is going to be decided closer to the World Cup, and during that time, a lot of things can change.” Klimkova remains hopeful Ria Percival and Rebekah Stott can recover from injuries, while young midfielder Grace Wisnewski will have to wait a while longer for her Football Ferns debut after picking up an injury, while Jacqui Hand has also been ruled out with a knee issue. Klimkova said that Wisnewski had “muscle injuries so she is not able to play” in today’s first match.