Former captain Abby Erceg is available for selection for the Football Ferns (Getty Images)

Former captain Abby Erceg is available for selection for the Football Ferns.

The 29-year-old from the North Carolina Courage, who was National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Defender of the Year in 2018, has played 132 'A' internationals for New Zealand since making her debut in 2006. She was the captain of the team from 2014 to 2017.

Erceg has competed at three Olympic Games and three FIFA Women’s World Cups and is hoping to be part of the squad to contest the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France during June and July.

Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni says Erceg’s return is significant for the national team as they prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“Abby is a world-class and highly-experienced international player,” Sermanni says.. “To have someone of her ability make herself available for the programme as we build to the World Cup is a huge boost for everyone.”

The Football Ferns have been drawn in Group E for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, in which they will face Canada, Cameroon and the Netherlands.

Erceg will be available for the Ferns’ first international friendlies of 2019 as they prepare for the World Cup. The World No 19 will compete in the inaugural Cup of Nations against fellow FIFA Women’s World Cup contestants Australia, Argentina and Korea Republic from 28 February to 6 March.

The OFC Nations Cup champions will also play the World No 1 and defending FIFA Women’s World Cup champions USA on 19 May in St Louis.

The Football Ferns squad for the Cup of Nations in Australia in February and March will be named next week.



Article added: Wednesday 16 January 2019