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(Reuters) – Former New Zealand captain Abbie Elseg will retire from international football and will not represent her country when the Soccer Ferns co-host the Women’s World Cup in July, coach Jitka Klimcova said on Friday. Told.<\/p>\n
Klimcova, 33, has confirmed that she will no longer represent New Zealand when she picks two groups for a friendly against World Cup holders USA later this month.<\/p>\n
“She wants to focus on her club now and be completely with her club,” said Klimcova.<\/p>\n
“Everyone’s journey is different and if that’s how she approaches football, we understand and we have to move on. That’s the way it is.”<\/p>\n
Erceg has made 146 appearances for New Zealand over a 16-year career, but has not been with the team since February and Klimcova does not believe the defender will reverse the decision before the World Cup. Hmm.<\/p>\n
“That chapter is behind us,” said Klimcova. “I’m not thinking ‘what if’. I have a lot of respect for her decision and I’m sure she will continue to be part of our family.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI am grateful for everything she has done for Ferns and New Zealand.The 100+ caps speaks for itself.<\/p>\n
“I appreciate what she has done in the past, but now I have to move on.”<\/p>\n
New Zealand will play the United States on 18 and 21 January respectively in Wellington and Auckland as part of their World Cup preparations.<\/p>\n
New Zealand are set to face Norway, the Philippines and Switzerland in the group stage, which starts on July 20.<\/p>\n
(Reporting by Michael Church, Hong Kong; Editing by Robert Barthel)<\/p>\n