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‘World class’ Mary Fowler stunner blows Australia away in Matildas win

It took over an hour and a Mary Fowler worldie but the Matildas have opened the floodgates to give themselves the best shot at Olympic glory.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
6 min read
November 2, 2023 - 8:39AM
Nathan Cleary spotted in crowd cheering on Mary Fowler

The Matildas have completed an incredible year of matches in Australia with a brilliant 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei.

The World No. 11 Matildas were always expected to make short work of the World No. 38 Chinese Taipei in Perth but the visitors put in a spirited defensive performance to hold Australia at bay for more than two-thirds of the match.

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Heading into the match without three World Cup heroes in Ellie Carpenter, Emily van Egmond (released back to clubs) and Cortnee Vine (hamstring), the Matildas had their work cut out for them as the Chinese Taipei defenders played an incredible game.

But after standing strong to the Matildas onslaught, the resistance finally broke when Fowler unleashed a rocket from the edge of the box.

ABC football reporter Samantha Lewis tweeted: “Can you believe that Mary Fowler is a real footballer and that she plays for Australia? what did we ever do to deserve her?”

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy posted: “To put into perspective how good Mary Fowler is... Sam Kerr (only!) had three international goals when she was 20. Mary Fowler already has 13!!!”

AAP’s Anna Harrington wrote: “That’s the Mary Fowler story for your front and back page tomorrow. What a goal!”

Mary Fowler soaks it in with fans. Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images
Mary Fowler soaks it in with fans. Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images

Speaking post-game, Fowler was at her usual humble best.

“I mean I think those things you just kind of do them and try it,” the 20-year-old Manchester City star said.

“It is nice to get the goal and put us ahead. I think we had our chances and we weren’t putting them away so it was good to get one and then get a few more after that.”

It opened the floodgates as Sam Kerr then doubled it up in what was the Matildas’ 900th goal when she tapped in a poor touch from a Chinese Taipei defender in the 68th minute.

And then Tameka Yallop made it 3-0 in the 76th minute, blasting home a bouncing ball.

“Job done, we needed to come out here and get the win and we did that tonight so happy to get on to the next round,” Hayley Raso said on Channel 10 after the game.

The result also seals the Matildas’ 200th ever victory in what was another historic night for Australia.

But Chinese Taipei can take plenty away from their performance, despite the lopsided stats sheet.

Australia had 38 shots, 13 on goal compared to two for Chinese Taipei, with zero on goal, while the match finished with Australia having 76 per cent of possession, with more than 400 more passes than their opponents.

What a performance from the Matildas. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images
What a performance from the Matildas. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images

A perfect three wins from three games with +13 goal difference sees the Matildas finish on top of Group A heading into the next round of Olympic qualifying.

They are set to avoid World No. 8 Japan and take on Uzbekistan in a two-legged playoff in February that they’ll need to win to qualify for the Olympics.

Japan will play North Korea for Asia’s second Olympic spot.

11.34pm — 76’: Matildas 3-0 Chinese Taipei

Let’s make that three.

Chinese Taipei held on for as long as they could but the floodgates are well and truly open.

For over an hour, the visitors played well above their 38th ranking in the world — at least defensively — but Australia have run riot to open up a 3-0 lead after Tameka Yallop got on the scoresheet.

A cross across the face of the goal just didn’t seem to want to go in until Yallop slammed it home.

11.25pm — 68’: Matildas 2-0 Chinese Taipei

And the crowd goes wild as Sam Kerr makes it 2-0.

The Aussie skipper made the most of bouncing ball at the back after a poor touch from a defender for Kerr to pop the goal home.

The ball was knocked down in an attempted trap by the Chinese Taipei defender but the ball beat the goalkeeper and left Kerr all alone to tap it in.

The score puts Australia in the box seat to top the seedings and play the highest ranked second placed finisher in the final round of Olympic qualifying, particularly with how the Matildas have been inspired by the scores.

It was the 900th goal by the Matildas — only fitting that the most prolific goalscorer in Matildas history had the goal.

It was also lucky Kerr got the goal when she did as she was immediately subbed out.

11.20pm — 62’: Matildas 1-0 Chinese Taipei

Mary Fowler can do it all.

The Matildas’ 20-year-old superstar has finally opened the door, slamming home a great strike from the edge of the box.

10.55pm — Good news for the Matildas

If Australia can get two goals, they will be the top seed for the third round after Japan beat Vietnam 2-0 in qualifying.

It was similar to the first half between the Matildas and Chinese Taipei, Japan had 17 shots on goal to one from Vietnam.

The result means that Japan have a goal difference of +11.

A 1-0 Matildas win means they will also be on +11 goals for the Olympic qualifying, 2-0 would mean +12.

Now to score some goals …

10.47pm — HT: Matildas 0-0 Chinese Taipei

The Matildas have not been able to crack Chinese Taipei just yet.

After 45 minutes, Chinese Taipei have clearly parked the bus and the Matildas are trying to break their way through.

It’s not been through lack of trying — the Matildas have had 79 per cent of possession and had 17 shots to one, although none have found their mark just yet.

10.31pm — 30’: Matildas 0-0 Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-yu is keeping her nation in the clash as she’s come up huge several times.

Chinese Taipei have been unable to push into their own half for anything more than a single shot but it’s proving to be effective in defence.

But Cheng has been brilliant.

She took a strong catch off one of the corners, took a curling ball from Caitlin Foord and made a huge save off a deflected pass.

10.13pm — 14’: Matildas 0-0 Chinese Taipei

There’s still no score in Perth but the Matildas are owning possession.

There’s been several promising forays but the Matildas haven’t been able to hit the scoresheet just yet.

Mary Fowler went the closest right now, after a corner was punched away by the goalkeeper, only for the ball to land at Fowler’s foot.

Taking the shot, it ricocheted off the crossbar and away from the goal.

Doesn’t get much closer than that.

10pm — And we’re underway!

This is the Matildas’ last match in Australia this year, and what a year it's been.

Sellout crowds coast-to-coast, the greatest women’s World Cup and Australia love for the national side getting stronger than ever.

If the Matildas win this one, it will be the 200th win in our history. C’mon Tillies!

9.30pm — Matildas’ brutal Olympic reality laid bare

The Matildas can ill-afford to take their foot off the pedal against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday night in Perth if they want to give themselves the best possible chance of qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games.

The Matildas have effectively locked in top spot in Group A and a place in February’s third round of qualifying, in which the four top-ranked Asian Football Confederation nations will be whittled down to the two who qualify for the Olympics.

It’s likely that seedings will be used to determine which of the teams play each other in the parallel home and away battles to decide which two nations are the AFC representatives in Paris.

Goal difference is therefore set to be crucial if the Matildas want to avoid Group C leaders Japan in February.

The Matildas have been on fire. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images
The Matildas have been on fire. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images

The Matildas are currently one goal better off in the for and against stakes than Japan, who are also on six points heading into its final group game against Vietnam.

Matildas vice-captain Steph Catley said her side just had to “control what we can control”.

“For us, that is winning, and that is doing it however we need to and scoring as many goals as we can,” Catley told reporters on Tuesday.

“We will focus on the task at hand, and make sure that we get ourselves in the best position possible.”

Currently, if Australia win, they will be in a goal shootout with World No. 8 Japan, who are also undefeated. Australia have a goal difference of +10, while Japan are +9 but kicked off at 9pm. The winner gets the best ranked second placed finisher.

If it’s a draw, Australia will possibly drop to second or third seed and a likely date with World No. 20 South Korea.

— with NCA Newswire

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Originally published as ‘World class’ Mary Fowler stunner blows Australia away in Matildas win

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/football/olympic-qualifying-matildas-vs-chinese-taipei-live/news-story/796c709002482d9f1b071e87a299d309