- Australia went down fighting in a 2-1 loss to the USWNT
- Struggled on the attacking end again, with Fowler lacking impact
- Fans have called for interim coach to settle on a role for Manchester City star
The Matildas have put up a drastically improved performance in the SheBelieves Cup but still went down 2-1 to USA, prompting questions over how superstar Mary Fowler is being deployed.
The match started in the worst possible fashion, with the Tillies conceding a goal to Lynn Biyendolo in the opening minute.
To add insult to injury, Biyendolo is married to an Aussie, Big Brother Australia winner Marley Biyendolo, and has played for two clubs in the A-League.
From there, the Matildas looked a different side to the one that was pumped 4-0 by Japan just days earlier, finding a late goal through veteran Michelle Heyman to keep them in the contest until the final whistle.
Mary Fowler impressed commentators and fans alike with her tough brand of football, playing her 60th match for the Matildas at just 22.
That included a crunching collision with US debutant Gisele Thompson as she headed the ball to a teammate, giving away a free kick for her trouble.
Mary Fowler lacked impact in Australia’s 2-1 loss to the United States in the SheBelieves Cup
The big highlight for Fowler was the massive hit she put on US star Gisele Thompson
‘Mary Fowler, eyes on the ball, has absolutely flattened Gisele Thompson,’ commentator Grace Gill said.
‘That is a really uncomfortable one to look at, great to see she is quick to get back on her feet and Fowler to apologise.’
While the hit will make the highlight reels and showed Fowler’s desire to not take a backward step, her role within the Matildas side is still in question.
Without Sam Kerr, still recovering from an ACL tear suffered in January last year, interim coach Tom Sermanni remains indecisive on where Fowler should play.
And fed up fans are calling for a decision to be made as Australia struggles to find goals in international matches without the injured Kerr.
‘The problem of What To Do About Mary Fowler continues to plague us: Is she a second striker? Is she a #10? Is she better on the wing with an overlapping fullback?’ asked one fan.
‘Those questions need answering as the side’s attacking sparsity comes into sharper focus.’
‘Is Mary Fowler even on the pitch?’ asked another.
Teahan Micah was impressive at goalkeeper after she was named to replace veteran Mackenzie Arnold
Inteirm coach Tom Sermanni will have plenty of headaches ahead of the Matildas next clash
Sermanni will have more headaches than just where to play Fowler in the coming days, with the Matildas looking to finish their tournament with a win against Colombia on Thursday.
The interim coach copped plenty of flak for his decision to bench veteran goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold for the USA match, but his decision was vindicated after Teagan Micah’s star turn.
The 27-year-old Liverpool custodian turned the US away twice in the same minute toward the end of the match to keep Australia in the hunt.
Now Arnold might find it tough to reclaim her spot with Micah favoured to retain the gloves for the Colombia match at the very least.
‘Takeaway from this game is that Teagan Micah needs to be the starting keeper for the Matildas. She kept the Matildas in it until the end,’ one fan posted.
‘If anything, this match showcased Teagan Micah’s shot stopping capabilities, and why she should be the #1 goalie for the Matildas,’ posted another.
Despite the loss, interim coach Tom Sermanni was pleased with the rebound from both the Japan loss and the early setback against the US.
‘Obviously a much better performance, a much better effort from the players,’ he said.
‘More so after the terrible start that we had.
‘I think they showed a lot of character getting us back into the game. Then sticking and staying in the game and getting that goal back.’
