Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has urged rising star Mary Fowler to continue to play “free from fear” despite the growing expectations on her every time she wears an Australian jersey.
And it’s not only on the field where Fowler’s profile continues to grow now that she is in a relationship with NRL star Nathan Cleary.
The triple premiership-winning Penrith halfback was in Perth to watch Fowler shine for the Matildas during the past week’s Olympic Games qualifiers against Iran, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.
Fowler’s contribution included a spectacular goal in Australia’s 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei on Wednesday night at HBF Park.
“The funny thing is that when she pulls off that goal – that’s what we see in training every day,” Gustavsson said of Fowler’s long-distance strike.
“Left foot, right foot, inside of the foot, laces, clipped balls … she’s quick at decision making, she knows exactly where the goal is and where the goalkeeper is and where the opening is.
“Her finishing is just one of a kind. I think Sam (Kerr) has said it before – it’s one of the best finishers she’s ever played with.”
Gustavsson knows it’s going to be tough to ease the pressure on Fowler to continue to dominate matches for the Matildas,
“How am I going to keep the expectations down on that one now?” he said.
However, Gustavsson will insist that the 20-year-old Manchester City attacking weapon doesn’t change her style of play because of those lofty expectations.
“I think one of the reasons why Mary can be Mary is because the other players around allow her just to be Mary and then adjust to that so she can play free from fear and just enjoy the game,” Gustavsson said.
“That’s what I want her to keep doing no matter what happens in terms of expectations or headlines. Just be Mary.”
Fowler has welcomed the free attacking rein given to her by Gustavsson.
“I think it always helps when you get the backing from the coach and the freedom to be able to do that and just to rotate,” Fowler said.
“I think we‘re all very freethinking kind of players and ball players. So to be able to move around quite a bit, it‘s very unpredictable for the other team and it just allows us to play our game and have fun out there.”
The Matildas’ final step on the qualifying road to next year’s Olympics comes in February when they must beat Uzbekistan over home and away legs to be one of the Asian Football Confederation’s two representatives at the Paris Games.
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