New Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni says his side are capable of competing with best teams in the World.
Speaking to 1 NEWS from Colorado, Sermanni indicated he will be talking to experienced defender Abby Erceg about returning to the fold.
"She's obviously our most experienced player, an exceptional player," he said. "It would be great to have her back playing for the Ferns."
The coach acknowledged his new challenge - saying that he can't wait to get started in his role with the Football Ferns, setting his sights firmly on next year's World Cup in France.
"If you look through my career, I've had a variety of different jobs. It's usually the challenge of the job that attracts me, and I think this is a great challenge.
"Obviously, there's been a bit of difficulty this year, but when you look at the squad there's a great balance of experienced players - a lot of young players coming into the team.
"It's a great time to get in there, help develop the team, and take them to the World Cup."
Sermanni acknowledged it had been a tough time for New Zealand Football, with a review of the organisation finding a lack of governance and culture issues.
But he's familiar with many of the players in the Ferns side.
"I know the New Zealand team well. I know the senior players very well because, particularly when I was the Australian coach, we had a great connection with the New Zealand team.
"What I do know is the team is a very competitive team. And it has players playing in the highest leagues throughout the world. So there are players that are technically competent and there are players who are very experienced and very talented."
Sermanni has coached some of the biggest talents in women's football, namely the likes of Americans Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd.
"I think it helps because it gives me knowledge and experience on those players and what's required to get the New Zealand players up to that level."
While he's an inductee to the Australian Football hall of fame, Sermanni says he already has Kiwi connections, having played for Christchurch United in 1977 and 1982.
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