Mary Fowler delivered an incredible strike on the hour for a frustrated Matildas team as they finally clicked into gear to overcome the stubborn defensive block of Chinese Taipei at HBF Park on Wednesday night.
The goal was enough to prompt visiting coach Chan Hiu Ming to offer his congratulations as Australia’s player of the match entered the press conference alongside her coach Tony Gustavsson. No goalkeeper would save that shot, said the well-spoken Taiwanese coach, and he was probably right.
Given freedom by her coach to decide which side of the field to attack from in a four-pronged strike force, the superstar, unbelievably still only 20 years old and living the dream of playing in the English WSL and for her successful national team, showed off her range of skills in a devastating display. Her nonchalance in taking a ball out of the air and laying a spinning pass off to a teammate in one move is poetry in motion and she has the uncanny knack of being in the right position to feed off scraps on the edge of the penalty area.
Mary Fowler (L) celebrates her World Cup goal against Canada with teammates Ellie Carpenter (C) and Caitlin Foord (R). (Photo by Richard Callis/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
With the striker leaving the press conference early to rejoin the players in a team meeting, Gustavsson was left to reflect on the prodigious talent he has at his disposal. He was almost pleading with the assembled journalists to stop pumping her up. What we saw tonight, a breathtaking goal from distance that arrowed into the top corner, is what we see in training, admitted the articulate and thoughtful Australian coach. Even Sam Kerr told him that Fowler was the best finisher she has ever played with.
But that mantle may have been in jeopardy after a first half of missed chances. Fowler wasn’t the only guilty party, but Gustavsson wanted his players to play free from fear, and he felt they showed they could move around the field with freedom and could bring the unpredictability required to unlock the Chinese Taipei defence.
The player nicknamed ‘Star Girl’ by her teammates took her rock-star status to a new level too this evening, her rumoured relationship with rugby league icon Nathan Cleary confirmed by his presence at the game, and by his face appearing on the big screens once he had been spotted.
Mary Fowler celebrates scoring a goal. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
A lot of hearts would be broken at the news, but to see a high-profile Matildas player dating a high-profile star from another sporting code could be the crossover that football needs to break through its media ceiling and infiltrate the news feeds of all Australians. One for the PR and marketing gurus to exploit to the maximum.
The final question for Fowler from the jovial reporters in the press conference was about her gloves. We’d seen them every game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year, primarily to stop her fidgeting, so what happened? With a wry smile, the Matildas star conceded that she ditched the gloves in favour of a hair tie to keep her fingers busy, and she was somewhat taken aback that someone had noticed. This was the sort of detail that a true superstar at the top of their game is subject to, and it showed the level of interest in everything that she does.
Mary Fowler’s star is shining brightly right now, scoring for her national team, starting in Manchester City’s team ahead of other world class players. The sky is the limit for the super-talented youngster and we hope to see much more as the Matildas vie for a spot in the Olympic Games next year in Paris in a two-legged do-or-die clash with Uzbekistan in February.
There’s definitely something about Mary.
sheek
Roar Guru
Fowler’s greatest achievement will be to become Nathan Cleary’s girlfriend. So then rugby league can think they will have more & easier access to her, & bask in her reflected glory. I feel sorry for them. I can’t see their relationship surviving long distances & separation & the feeding frenzy of rugby league who want to see it happen so they can ‘claim her’ as their own. Sadly, I think Fowler needs to see Cleary as a stepping stone in the path of finding true love. She’s better off staying as far away from the NRL as possible. The NRL is not a “family” she wants to marry into.
NickA
Roar Rookie
You're right about KK, she could have been some player for the Matildas if it weren't for her injuries.
From The Front Row
Roar Rookie
She's got that game sense that can't be taught - So light on her feet she floats around the pitch and makes you wonder at times if her heart rate ever gets out of second gear. My only concern is how she'll go as oppositions may well resort to stronger physical attention as she continues to improve. Whatta star!
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Lmao cmon.. the whole thing is a gd laugh.. the panthers could actually be worried he might sign with Wigan or get a release sooner rather than later to be closer to chook
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
at age 20, normal life Mary would expect to have several relationships ahead of her, but could be an attempt by the league boys to raise their profile. Already given Nathan more coverage around the world than he's ever experienced.
Randy
Roar Rookie
this is obviously a ploy by NRL to kill womens soccer. Cleary and his mega-chin has been sent in to break her heart.
Texi
Roar Rookie
It's our version of Posh and Becks perhaps. Mary Fowler appeals to all Australians, Nathan Cleary only to the subset of rugby league fans. It's a match made in heaven from a publicity point of view, and Mary is already a well-known player internationally. Let's see what transpires over the next few months. Maybe we'll see Cleary in the stands in Vancouver cheering the Matildas on in December, or making an appearance in Manchester. I'm all for it! Football to finally take its place where it belongs in Australia.
Texi
Roar Rookie
Yes, Fowler is an outstanding talent. She sees things that we see from the stands, little gaps, deft runs and had that shot gone in off the post in the first half, we might have been talking her up even more as a goalscorer. That's where Sam Kerr comes in. She is just brilliant as the out-and-out striker.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
In terms of potential, the sky is the limit for Mary Fowler. She has significantly the best technique of any Matilda, and I would contend better than any current Socceroo. She has technique that would fit into a Barcelona or Spain team. I am not knocking other Matildas when I assert this, but Raso, Carpenter, Gorry and so on often overhit the ball and have to rescue it by tackling back. Foord, Cooney Cross and Catley are a step up in technique, but none of them has Fowler’s remarkable lightness of touch. Technique is of course not enough. Without strength, fitness, speed and the right attitude, technique is wasted. The most important development is her starting role for Manchester City; that’s where she will progress week by week, and the Matildas will benefit, and we will be able to watch and wonder!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I've long said this. Her sense for goal and goal scoring is second to none. She's our top goal scorer, one of the games best but when she plays out wide or deeper she rarely achieves much. Except for that W League final a couple of years back when her power totally dominated.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Lineker was good technically just limited in what he did . There are a lot of different aspects to technique, Lineker was great at chipping the keeper for example. Cahill his technique with heading was one of the best of all time and Kerr is the best of all time in the women. Fowler is technically good with her feet, cant head the ball but no one seems to bother about a lack of heading technique. Foord while another late improver the main thing about her is actually physically she is stronger than ever with that pace as well, which Kerr has lost a bit, he finishing has still been poor but at least she is scoring more and the howlers of the past are less frequent. EVE is good at one thing technically one touch passing backwards. Kellod Knight far superior player in the past.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
chook as in chicken, fowler as in fowl. Used to be a common nickname for anyone with the surname Fowler, not sure it still is.
NickA
Roar Rookie
I'm actually a bit worried about the fanfare that will follow now that Cleary is involved, I think it'll detract from the actual football and what the players themselves want to talk about. Also cringe on Chook. Christ. What does that even mean
NickA
Roar Rookie
Who both had knacks for scoring, but definitely weren't as technically gifted as other players. I am not detracting for Sam's ability, I am saying that Fowler, Foord, EVE are all better than Sam from a technical point of view.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Cairns girl – say no more. And there’s a young Cairns boy around showing a bit of promise too. I agree your point Texi, about exploiting the relationship Mary has with Nathan Cleary but we need to be very careful. The charming and outstanding point about the Matildas (and the women’s game overall) is their raw appeal. Nothing put on or false about their personalities or their game. Mary speaks like a refined and well educated young lady, not like your regular NRL player, although Nathan seems to have some class (just not at Origin level). Listening to Sen Sports radio yesterday, NRL panel they spoke about her, crudely naming her Chook. We really don’t want our girls going far down the (publicity) path that the NRL media would take her. Should add, we must always respect her privacy, she’s only a kid. She’s a much more all-round player than Sam. Goals aside, she must already lead for assists. We’ve just got to hope that she can keep her starting place in the Manchester City side where competition is very hot.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Kerr was a late developer, and what do you exactly mean that Kerr isnt even in the top 5 talents in the squad. Who exactly are the 5 ahead of her. Kerr when she was young had a rough technique but has improved greatly. Kerr is a combination of Lineker and Cahill. Ability with her head and as a poacher cant be underestimated and the rest of Kerrs game is pretty decent.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Mary is that football player that Australia really wants - she is class and has that time slowing down around her look as she has the ball at her feet. She plays the beautiful game, beautifully! I believe that at this moment Sam Kerr is Australia’s greatest athlete and Mary may be our 2nd best. She will grow into our best and hopefully win a few Ballon d’Or awards in her career. As for Nathan Cleary? - I believe he is Mary’s boyfriend. Let’s get the status correct!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
How far Mary Fowler can go depends on her work ethic, technically she might be the best Australian player, she is also athletic as well unlike a Tom Rogic. If she wants to be a top player and always be in the starting line up at club level , she needs to impove her work rate and fitness. Last year she barely played over 100 minutes, this season she is getting more game time than that already.
NickA
Roar Rookie
I think she's much better than Sam was at her age. Sammy probably isn't even in the top 5 most talented players in that squad - she has an excellent knack for scoring, but Fowler really is something else
chris1
Roar Rookie
She's the type of player that can go that little bit extra when she needs to. She can hit with both feet and has a poise about her that says world class. There are so many players coming through with fantastic technical abilities in the younger age groups. When they see players like Fowler it inspires them and they go out and emulate what they see.