Small detail from the Matildas’ win over the Philippines proves Mary Fowler is winning her battle with a ‘silly’ habit that had all her fans talking
- Fowler was one of Matildas’ best
- Dominated against Iran and the Philippines
- One important difference emphasizes her self-confidence
A small detail has revealed just how much confidence Matildas forward Mary Fowler has grown since the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 20-year-old Manchester City star stole the spotlight at the World Cup as she stepped up in the absence of injured captain Sam Kerr.
When she took just 15 minutes to get on the scoresheet in Saturday’s Olympic qualifier against the Philippines at Optus Stadium in Perth, as part of the Aussies’ 8-0 win.
However, there was one key difference between the Mary Fowler of the World Cup and the one in Perth: this time she was not wearing gloves.
It’s a major sign that the Cairns product – rumored to be secretly dating NRL star Nathan Cleary – is becoming increasingly sure of herself on the field.
Fowler had a huge game against Iran and backed it up by scoring against the Philippines in the 15th minute
As Fowler celebrated her goal with captain Sam Kerr, there was a telling difference between how she took the field against the Philippines and how she presented herself for World Cup matches.
During the World Cup, she admitted to former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer that she wore the gloves because of nerves.
“I haven’t told anyone what (the reason is) yet – it’s a bit stupid,” she said at the time.
‘But to be honest, I just wear gloves, because I get really restless. I usually train with a ring on, but when it’s cold I wear gloves and during a competition I can’t wear a ring, so I usually wear gloves.’
Instead of the gloves, Fowler wore a headband on her left hand while playing against the Philippines.
Her gloves were a major source of speculation among fans during the World Cup as they tried to decipher why she wore them, with many thinking she did so for luck or as part of superstition.
Now Fowler’s confidence and form are likely to be rewarded with Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson ready to unleash her in a starting role against Taiwan in the final qualifying match of the round.
During the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Fowler wore gloves, which she has since ditched for the Matildas Olympic Games qualifiers
Fowler told former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer (pictured) that the gloves would help with nerves and fidgeting
Despite the fact that lowly Taiwan is likely to be easy fodder for the Matildas, Gustavsson – who Mary Fowler described as ‘stunningly good’ after her stunning cameo against Iran – is unlikely to rest players.
He says he is keen to reward in-form players with a starting spot, as well as better prepare them for how to deal with a hectic schedule like the one they will face if they qualify for the Paris Olympics next year.
Australia must win a two-legged play-off against a yet-to-be-determined team from the Asian Confederation to qualify for the Olympics.
“I immediately told the circle that they should be extremely proud of the performance, but also that they should be extremely professional when it comes to recovery, because this is also a rehearsal,” said Gustavsson.
“If you want to go all the way to the Olympics, this is how tight the games will be at an Olympics. Only 48 hours left to recover and then there will be a new game.
‘So we have to be extremely professional.’