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Matildas’ future in good hands after star showings from teen stars against Brazil

When the World Cup hits Australia in 2023, a couple of the Matildas teen sensations will be ready to rip it apart.

Sam Kerr celebrates her goal with Mary Fowler. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Sam Kerr celebrates her goal with Mary Fowler. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

They’re the teen sensations of the Matildas set-up and coach Tony Gustavsson won’t hide Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross from positions of high responsibility as they loom as key building blocks for the 2023 World Cup in Australia.

The exciting duo lit up the first half of Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Brazil with a glorious pass each that had the 12,000 plus crowd gasping in awe.

Cooney-Cross from deep in midfield to release Sam Kerr on the right flank. Fowler with a penetrating through ball to play in Caitlin Foord down the left.

They were the moments that gave you a glimpse into the next generation star power of the Matildas but also provided a firm reminder of the impact the duo can have in the now.

And that’s both in January’s Asian Cup and the home World Cup in 2023.

With 17 caps and five goals to her name, including a quarter-final strike against Great Britain at the Olympics, 18-year-old Fowler, who plays for Montpellier in France, has already solidified her status in the Matildas line-up.

But the emergence of 19-year-old Cooney-Cross from the Melbourne Victory, in the high pressure position of defensive midfield, caught the eye over the course of the Brazil series.

Mary Fowler is already a star. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Mary Fowler is already a star. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It’s a move that the Swede Gustavsson concedes he wouldn’t have made in the early days of his journey as a manager.

“In my early coaching career, it was classic with young players to say ‘hey, we’ll give them a couple of minutes on the wing, in a smaller role and then they can grow into it’,” he said.

“That’s not what I’m about anymore as a coach. I’m about quality of players and growing them into the position where they can be the best.”

“Kyra Cooney-Cross is really good in the centre of the park. We’re looking for depth in that defensive role, I think she was brilliant in the first game. This game showed she has some work to do at international level when it comes to tempo, which is natural.”

Gustavsson was looking likely to secure his first back-to-back wins as Matildas boss when Australia went up 2-0 in the second half courtesy of a sublime Sam Kerr hit to finish off a brilliant team move.

But while the team’s defensive issues emerged again, conceding two goals quickly to level up proceedings, the coach wasn’t downcast with the work at the back.

Kyra Cooney-Cross has a big future. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Kyra Cooney-Cross has a big future. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I do think there was some improvement defensively in this game. They didn’t get in behind us as many times as they did in the first game, we were better at reading when to drop off,” he said.

“The other thing we did well was the amount of shots that we blocked in and around the box and that’s something we’ve worked on in terms of our mindset.

“Of course, I’m disappointed that we conceded from that corner. They scored too easily and that’s something we need to work on.

“There is no shame in a draw with the world’s seventh-ranked side, however, especially with six-time world player of the year Marta back in the starting line-up.”

The 35-year-old immortal played for Gustavsson in Europe and the pair enjoyed a catch-up on Australian soil at full-time.

“I had the privilege working with her for a lot of years at our Swedish club and won the title with her in Sweden and went to the Champions League Final,” Gustavsson said.

“She’s a world class footballer and person and it’s the first time we’ve connected in a long time and I said to her you were a different team tonight and we were a bit lucky to get away with it there.”

Originally published as Matildas’ future in good hands after star showings from teen stars against Brazil

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/football/matildas/matildas-future-in-good-hands-after-star-showings-from-teen-stars-against-brazil/news-story/5d06050fc37c185178ffd76c37edd263