FIFA Women’s World Cup: How Sam Kerr injury opened door for Mary Fowler to thrive
While the Matildas’ injury woes threatened to derail Australia’s World Cup campaign, there has been a silver lining to Sam Kerr’s absence, writes ROBBIE SLATER.
The undoubted silver lining of Sam Kerr’s injury-enforced FIFA Women’s World Cup absence has been the emergence of Mary Fowler as a genuine star of the Australian team.
Kerr is yet to play at the tournament due to a calf injury, and she’s still no guarantee to make her comeback in the Matildas’ round-of-16 battle against Denmark on Monday night.
Kerr’s mishap on the eve of the tournament led to doom and gloom among Australia’s football community.
And that pessimism about the Matildas’ chances of doing well in the World Cup intensified after Australia’s 3-2 loss to Nigeria last week in Brisbane.
However, the Matildas’ subsequent performance, a resounding 4-0 thrashing of Canada, has led to a complete restoration of belief.
I said before the tournament Australia could win the World Cup and many now are coming to the same realisation that the Matildas are a real contender.
Part of that reason is the form of youngster Fowler.
Had Kerr been fit, 20-year-old Fowler would have probably spent most of the tournament on the bench, restricted to second-half cameos.
However, without Kerr, the Queenslander has been given a proper chance to shine on the world stage, and she is certainly taking in.
Fowler was excellent against the Canadians. She scored a goal, was unlucky not to have another, and created enormous problems for the outclassed Olympic Games champions.
Signs were there pre-tournament that Fowler was ready to make a major contribution when she scored after coming off the bench – and again with Kerr off the field – in Australia’s 1-0 friendly win over France.
The excitement Fowler is creating is akin to the effect superstar Kylian Mbappe had on the French team that won the men’s World Cup in 2018 when he just 19 years old.
But it’s not just Fowler we’re learning more about. We’re seeing Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry, Steph Catley and the rest of them get the attention they deserve – it’s not just Kerr getting all the recognition.
Fowler is likely to again start against the Danes on Monday in a match that the Matildas should win.
Australia’s recent run of good form has included a win over Denmark, and while the Danes can’t be underestimated, this is a match that should cause Australia too many problems.
In saying that, we have seen a fair share of upsets already in this tournament, and that’s great for women’s football.
The depth is growing, and there are at least half-a-dozen genuine chances to win this World Cup.
Defending champions the USA have been far from convincing but remain alive.
The same can’t be said for the already eliminated Canada and Brazil.
Brazil’s exit means the end of Marta’s remarkable international career.
Featuring in six World Cups is an amazing achievement, with Marta a trailblazer for women’s football.
However, her departure from the scene, and the emergence of players such as Fowler and England’s Lauren James, who was outstanding against China, is a true sign of the development and progression of women’s football.
We’ve seen some brilliant matches in the group stages of the tournament, and the standard of games is bound to become even better as we enter the knockout phase.
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