Praise heaped on Mary Fowler after stellar showing in Perth

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson doesn’t want to put undue pressure on Mary Fowler, but he can’t hide how good he thinks she is.

Mary Fowler in control against Iran. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson labelled Mary Fowler “mind-blowingly good” after his team’s 2-0 win over Iran, with her sublime touch setting up captain Sam Kerr’s second-half goal in Perth.

But Gustavsson moved to take pressure off the young superstar, declaring the 20-year-old shouldn’t be the one who has to ”carry this team” as her influence grows both in the national team and at Manchester City.

Fowler and Kerr were not introduced into the match until the second half but showed their capacity to play a level above their opponents, with Fowler in particular keeping the Iranian heads spinning.

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Her one-two pass with Steph Catley, who also came off the bench in the second half, set up Kerr’s 78th minute goal that sealed a scrappy win and showed how significant a player Fowler had become.

Gustavsson opted to copy the role Fowler has been playing for Manchester City and in doing so unleashed a new weapon for his team.

“They’ve used Mary Fowler as a wide forward this season, and she has been outstanding in the league,” Gustavsson said.

“We said, ‘Let’s try her in our environment as well’, and Mary’s performance in those minutes on the left side was just mind-blowingly good.

“I think she was our best, which means we have another tool now in the wide areas, which is perfect for us.”

Fowler’s star has risen considerably on the back of some stunning World Cup performances and expectations have risen at the same time.

But Gustavsson said as a young player still finding her feet, there shouldn’t be added pressure on her, like there is on Kerr, to deliver magic every time she steps on the pitch.

“She shouldn’t be the one that has to carry this team or take responsibility in that sense,” Gustavsson said.

“She should be this young player that is the spark and can just do her thing. Some of the experienced players can carry the pressure.”

Gustavsson is set to unleash a much stronger starting side when the Matildas play the Philippines on Sunday at Optus Stadium, with Kerr’s minutes likely to be increase in front of her home fans.

Originally published as Praise heaped on Mary Fowler after stellar showing in Perth