Football Ferns defender Abby Erceg has been paid an ultimate compliment by her North Carolina Courage coach, with Paul Riley likening her to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.

The classy Dutchman is currently considered the finest male defender in the world and Riley feels his skipper exudes many of the same qualities.

“She reminds me of Virgil van Dijk, she has that kind of charisma on the team,” he said.

“If she asked you to do something, you’re gonna do it, no questions asked because Abby’s asked you to do it.”

Riley made the comments after Erceg led the Courage to three wins from as many games to sit atop the NWLS Challenge Cup standings.

Aside from her inspirational leadership qualities and commanding performances, Erceg literally became a match-winner in her team’s most recent result, heading in the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars.

The Courage, who won last season’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), are packed full of world-class talent, including the likes of USA internationals Crystal Dunn and Sam Mewis.

But Riley believes Erceg is the most crucial component of the Courage’s success.

“I’ve had some good captains in my years of coaching but she’s really, really top level,” he said. 

“I would say she’s obviously a massive component for us and a huge influence on the club’s culture in what she's been able to do. She’s the bedrock of the whole club for me.“

Erceg is pleased with how the Courage have fared so far in the Challenge Cup but feels there is more to come.

“Things like finishing and relationships built between the players will come. That only comes with game time,” she said.

“There has definitely been an improvement from game to game and I think, as the tournament goes on, we’re just going to see it get better and better.”

The 30-year-old was also delighted to see New Zealand being awarded joint hosting rights with Australia to stage the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup late last month.

“We needed something like this to bring attention to the sport in New Zealand – to get such a big event is going to be huge for the game,” she said. 

“Whether or not I can play in that? We’ll see how the body holds up. But I’m really excited. It’s just such a good thing for the sport and a good thing for the country.”

In other Challenge Cup action involving Football Ferns, Rosie White was able to claim bragging rights over international team mate Katie Bowen as OL Reign earned a 1-0 win over the Utah Royals.

Bowen was the only one to receive game time though, coming on to play the entirety of the second half while White remained an unused substitute as the Reign struck a last-gasp winner to claim the three points.  

Article added: Thursday 09 July 2020