Adelaide United’s W-League side slumps to gut-wrenching, last-second loss to Wanderers
Adelaide United’s Mary Fowler draws comparisons to Australian superstar Sam Kerr, but the Reds fall to a last-second loss to the Wanderers in Sydney.
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Mary Fowler’s comparisons to Matildas and now Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr after making her W-League debut on Thursday are justified says Adelaide United coach Ivan Karlovic.
With European scouts scouring Australia for more talent, Fowler is already on their radars.
Former Reds attacker Alex Chidiac became a pioneer at the start of the boom when she signed for Atletico Madrid before Kerr’s move to the Blues and Lisa De Vanna signing for Italy’s Fiorentina see a huge shift towards Europe’s powerhouse clubs as traditional soccer markets have fans flocking to support their clubs in their thousands.
With the European FIFA transfer window open on New Year’s Day, Fowler could be at the height of activity.
The 16-year-old scored from the penalty spot in Adelaide’s gut wrenching 2-1 loss to Western Sydney at Marconi Stadium five months after being named in the Matildas FIFA women’s World Cup squad in France.
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Fowler made her Matildas debut last year at 15 and was lauded by then-coach Alen Stajcic as one of the most gifted young players he'd seen in the women's game after playing for NSW women’s club Bankstown City Lions.
Fowler’s tight ball skills, her creative mind, speed and strength were evident long before she was fouled inside the box to win a penalty in the 39th minute.
She was continually surrounded by up to three Wanderers players almost every time she was on the ball.
“She has got talent and her technical ability in tight spaces is really good,’’ Karlovic said about the Cairns-born attacker.
“Her dribbling ability is very good and she’s got a fantastic shot, she hit one in the second half and the keeper Abby Smith made a fantastic save.
“She is a player with immense talent and if she continues to progress she will be playing at a higher level.”
With Fowler’s spot kick handing Adelaide a 1-0 lead, the Red dropped all points after two late show goals just as each half was drawing to a close in Sydney’s western suburbs.
Kristen Hamilton squared the ledger with a first half headed goal but it was the 92nd game killer from Wanderers substitute Kyra Cooney-Cross which ripped the heart out of the Reds.
Her curling set piece from about 35m eluded a sea of heads and Matildas keeper Sarah Willacy.
“It was disappointing to concede right at the death, we had enough chances to get something out of the game, their keeper made some great saves and kept them in the game,’’ Karlovic said.
“And it was the first time we really played together as a team with so many of our Young Matildas being away on national duty.”
Adelaide faces reigning W-League champion Sydney FC at Marden Sports Complex on Friday, November 22 in round two.