Teen sensation surprise Matildas selection

The meteoric rise of 16-year-old Mary Fowler continued yesterday when she was named in the Matildas’ World Cup squad.

Young gun of the Australian squad, Mary Fowler, in action for the Young Matildas last year. Picture: Getty Images

In world soccer, she is still a baby and a long way off reaching the status and calibre of a Sam Kerr, but Mary Fowler could be our next big thing.

Off the back of just four caps, the 16-year-old emerged yesterday as one of coach Ante Milicic’s exciting selections in the 23-player Matildas squad for the Wo­men’s World Cup in France next month.

Despite some tough decisions, notably the omission of Kyah Simon, Milicic said he was “very comfortable” with a squad that had the exuberance of youth and an experienced core that has almost 1300 caps and multiple World Cup appearances.

The experience factor will be a key given the Matildas, ranked No 6 in the world, are regarded as a serious title contender.

Lisa De Vanna, Clare Polkinghorne and Lydia Williams will be contesting their fourth World Cup while Kerr, Laura Alleway, Caitlin Foord, Elise Kellond-Knight, Emily van Egmond and Tameka Yallop will be heading for their third. But it is the selection of Fowler that has captured the imagination.

Matilda's head coach Ante Milicic (right) at yesterday’s announcement with Gemma Simon, Emily Gielnik and Laura Alleway. Picture: AAP

The teenager is relatively unknown in Australian soccer, but has been on the fringes since former Matildas boss Alen Stajcic first drafted her into the squad as a 15-year-old last year when she made her debut in friendlies against France and England.

Despite playing as a substitute in those games, Fowler, whose father is Irish and mother Papua New Guinean, was still eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland and there were fears she would switch allegiances when her father, Kevin, withdraw her from the Australian squad to play against Chile in a subsequent friendly so that she could concentrate on training with a sprint coach instead.

When Stajcic was controversially dumped as coach in late January, Milicic picked Fowler for a friendly against the US in April. She came on for the final 10 minutes as Australia went down 5-3.

In naming her in the World Cup squad, Milicic wanted to draw attention away from her age.

“It should be remembered she has been picked on football ability alone,” Milicic said.

“Yes, she is young and still has a lot to learn but this will be a rich experience for her.

“She is a clever player, an out-and-out striker. She uses her body well and can finish with both feet.

“I was impressed with her during her short time on the field against the US and with what she’s been doing on the training field.

“She did well with the Young Matildas in a recent tournament and I’m looking forward to seeing her grow as a player.”

Milicic said he was pleased with the overall make-up of the squad.

“This is a special group of Australian footballers because, as a unit, they have accumulated a wealth of international experience despite the average age of the team being quite young,” he said.

“Having players that have appeared at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups will help to guide the eight players travelling to their first Women’s World Cup, and I believe we will have genuine competition for starting positions across all areas of the pitch.”

The absence of Simon was probably a standout among the non-selections.

Milicic said he felt for her, but said it could prove defining, especially with the Olympics coming up next year.

“It is unfortunate for Kyah. She had some injuries that really did not help her in terms of getting back into form and fitness that not only she but we would have liked,” he said.

“But we have the Olympics next year so she has plenty of time to sort it out.”

The Matildas will leave for a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, later this month and will have a friendly against the Netherlands on June 1 before moving to France where they are grouped with Italy, Brazil and Jamaica.

WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micha, Lydia Williams.

Defenders: Teigen Allen, Laura Alleway, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Gema Simon.

Midfielders: Katrina Gorry, Amy Harrison, Elise Kellond-Knight, Chloe Logarzo, Aivi Luik, Emily van Egmond, Tameka Yallop.

Forwards: Lisa De Vanna, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso.

* Standby players: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Kyah Simon