Furious Matildas fans slam Channel Ten over how broadcaster dealt with Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler’s romance

Angry Matildas supporters have criticized Channel 10 for the broadcaster targeting Nathan Cleary after Mary Fowler’s miracle strike against Chinese Taipei.

Fowler’s long-term efforts helped the Matildas to a 3-0 win over brave opponents in Perth on Wednesday night.

It was the 20-year-old’s second goal in the three qualifying matches, and the Aussies now have a meeting with Uzbekistan in February to book their ticket to Paris 2024.

Fowler collected a pass and took one touch before firing in her shot from 20 yards out to send the crowd wild and break the deadlock in the 62nd minute.

As Fowler celebrated with her teammates, Channel 10 cameras quickly panned to her romantic interest, Nathan Cleary, cheering her on at HBF Stadium in Perth.

Cleary, Fowler’s new romantic interest, cheered her on from the stands

Australian sport’s hottest romance went public earlier today after Fowler, 20, and Cleary, 25, were pictured on an intimate date in a Perth park.

They could be seen lying together in the middle of an open park by the water – laughing, hugging, chatting and drinking from the same water bottle.

At one point, Cleary took off his shirt and Fowler lay on his chest.

However, some Matildas fans were not happy with Cleary getting any screen time.

“Fowler needs all the screen time for that purpose, not Nathan Cleary, please Channel 10,” one fan wrote on X.

‘One of the best footballers in the world and they have to keep criticizing her not so famous friend. Only in Aus,” another user wrote.

‘Stop showing Nathan Cleary, Mary Fowler is a star in her own right and on her own. Give her her moment without showing his face. Who she is dating should have nothing to do with this game,” said another.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson selected Fowler in his starting line-up for tonight’s match against Taiwan and broadcaster Channel 10 had the perfect opportunity to ask the Man City star about her blossoming romance before the match.

The superstar couple made their romance public on Wednesday afternoon

Fowler and Cleary lay together in a park in Perth and soaked up the sun

But instead she was asked about her form at City, her new role on the wing and the strong support for the Matildas in Perth.

“It was incredible to see how many people came out to support us and they were super loud, so it was an amazing journey and I think we’ll all remember that,” she said.

Asked about her new romance by Ny Breaking Australia on Wednesday morning, Fowler said: “Sorry, I just want to go back to my hotel.”

Many fans were left questioning the scheduling of the qualifiers in Perth, with two of the three matches not kicking off until 10pm on Australia’s east coast.

It meant the matches against Iran and Chinese Taipei didn’t end until midnight, irritating parents of children who have to go to school the next day.

Matildas fans were annoyed by the scheduling of the match, which meant viewers on Australia’s east coast had to stay up until midnight to watch the end of the match.

Broadcaster Neil Breen took to social media to express his frustrations with the planning.

“What d***head thought the Matildas had to play at 7pm Perth time (10pm AEDT) on a school night?” he wrote on X.

‘In Perth it should have started at least at 6am, here it is 9am. You can’t (win) the battle for a new generation if they’re sleeping… Same as league matches starting after 8am, matching Channel 9: 7.40am should be a mandatory start time.’

A Matildas fan replied: ‘My daughter is obsessed, has watched every game for the last four years, now it’s 10pm and school tomorrow. Ridiculous!’