Matildas look to future with Mary Fowler set to play against US

Rising Matildas starlet Mary Fowler will see international action against the US today.

Mary Fowler, right, and Lisa De Vanna train with the Matildas in Denver, Colorado. Picture: Tristan Furney/FFA

Mary Fowler is on track for World Cup selection, with confirmation the rising Matildas starlet will get minutes in today’s blockbuster friendly against world No 1 United States.

Some five months after her last international camp, the schoolgirl striker will be back in the green and gold against the reigning World Cup champions, a step that would put her in the box seat to earn selection and make her competitive debut in France this June.

In a contest that will give Ante Milicic a gauge of how far the Matildas have come since he took the job in February, the new coach has looked to the future with Fowler.

Only just 16, she has already been the subject of a tug of war between Australia and the Republic of Ireland, after former coach Alen Stajcic’s comments about the Fowlers’ “alternative lifestyle” sparked tension with the family after they withdrew her from November’s home friendly series against Chile in favour of putting her through a sprint training program with Cristiano Ronaldo’s speed coach and then a series of trials with European clubs including Chelsea, West Ham and Manchester City.

“Mary Fowler will get a run,” Milicic said.

“She will get game time. In terms of team selection, we’re looking to give players opportunities.

“She is an extremely explosive athlete. She’s very mature for her age, very good back to goal, very good left foot and right foot and she is a genuine finisher.

“She’s settled into the group really well, happy how she has been around the team and conducted herself.

“She will get game time tomorrow and that’s important because what she has shown at training has been very positive.”

The same can’t be said for vice-captain Steph Catley, Laura Alleway and Chloe Logarzo.

Milicic was loathe to risk the trio, who brought minor injuries into camp and haven’t recuperated sufficiently.

“We don’t want to rush players back,” he said.

“We have a duty of care towards them, especially being so close to a World Cup. But it’s an opportunity to (other) players … to show themselves against the best team in the world.”

Alleway’s injury opens the door for Sydney FC centre back Elizabeth Ralston to make her Matildas debut, while Sky Blues teammate Logarzo will continue her rehab after sustaining an injury in the triumphant W-League grand final.

A win against the US, the side Australia beat in the 2017 Tournament of Nations and held to a draw in last year’s iteration, would give the Matildas a valuable psychological boost ahead of their opening World Cup group clash against Italy.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH