FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Mary Fowler ruled out of Nigeria clash with concussion

Coach Tony Gustavsson has been forced to defend his World Cup squad selection after two freak training blows rocked the Matildas ahead of their match against Nigeria.

Mary Fowler and the Australian Matildas 2023 World Cup Soccer squad train at QSAC stadium in Brisbane. Pics Adam Head

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has defended his squad selection of injured striker Kyah Simon after two bizarre training incidents left Australia exposed ahead of their World Cup clash with Nigeria in Brisbane.

Gustavsson refused to give any details on how Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik came to sustain concussions in separate incidents at a training session two days before the Matildas’ clash with Nigeria.

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The pair join a casualty ward that already includes skipper Sam Kerr (calf), Kyah Simon (knee), Clare Polkinghorne (foot) and Tameka Yallop (cork) as the Matildas prepare for a clash where victory would guarantee their passage to the Round of 16.

Football Australia revealed before training on Wednesday that Fowler and Luik would be unavailable for Thursday night’s game at Brisbane Stadium as they had both sustained mild concussions during a training session on Tuesday.

2 - The Matildas have played 60 internationals since Mary Fowler debuted in 2018 but in only two of those games have they been without both Fowler and Sam Kerr on the day; a 7-0 defeat to Spain and a 1-all draw with Portugal in June 2022. Rally.#FIFAWWC#Matildas#TilitsDonehttps://t.co/mcpmlKh7J0

— OptaJason (@OptaJason) July 26, 2023

Mary Fowler of Australia shoots at goal

Gustavsson, who was criticised last week for waiting until moments before the first game against Ireland to reveal captain Sam Kerr had a calf injury sustained in training, described the circumstances as “unlucky” and “unreal”.

He said it was a high intensity small-sided opposed game, similar to those done many times before.

“We don’t go into what happens in training but there was no physical contact and no teammates that was behind it,” Gustavsson said.

“It was two separate incidents, which is unreal to be honest, I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

Under Football Australia’s concussion protocol the two players are unable to play a competitive match for six days — meaning if they pass their medical tests they will be available for the next match against Canada on July 31.

It means the Matildas bench almost has more injured players than fit ones.

Captain Kerr is still out with a calf injury, Simon is yet to play any minutes or train with the main squad due to her recovery from an ACL injury, Polkinghorne has a foot problem, Yallop has a corked muscle and can’t play 90 minutes and Fowler and Luik are out with concussions.

Gustvasson said there was still no further update on Kerr and said one was unlikely to be given until the day before next week’s clash with Canada.

Kyah Simon does a light walk as the Matildas train on Wednsday. Picture: Getty Adam Head

The Matildas capped the Kerr questions at two in their pre-match press conference, refusing to add any further insight about her injury or recovery time amid fears her calf complaint is worse than first reported.

It’s left their attack minus three key attackers in Kerr, Simon and Fowler -— a scenario that could’ve been avoided if Gustavsson had not gambled on the fitness of Simon and selected a fully fit player in her position.

Despite the unprecedented injury scenario, Gustvasson said he stood by his decision to select injured Simon in his squad of 23.

“I’m never going to regret it,” Gustavsson said.

“We knew she was going to have limited minutes but her game changing ability is what we picked her for and what she has showed in training the last couple of weeks was amazing, we knew it was going to be a risk but you never know what it is going to be like.

“The other think is what she can contribute to the group in the locker room and off the pitch with her experience and personality but also coming in in big pressure moments for example in extra time where she has come up big in big games before.

“I’m never going to regret that she still contributes to us.”

Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson has a number of injury headaches. Picture: Getty

Stand in captain Steph Catley said the Matildas had the depth and adaptability to cover for the unfortunate injuries to their squad.

“Obviously it’s not what you want ever in a tournament,” Catley said.

“The last thing you want to see is your teammates and your friends going through but in saying that it’s football and it happens to every single footballer on the entire planet. We are not the first team to have injuries at a major tournament and we won’t be the last.

“It is just how we gather, it’s how the rest of the squad bounces back and performs in a high pressure situation in the biggest games and I that’s something over the last few years we’ve really developed we’ve got a squad that is capable of winning games at any given point no matter who’s in what position.

“I back every single player that’s out there no matter what.”

Australia will play Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium at 8pm on Thursday.

Originally published as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Mary Fowler ruled out of Nigeria clash with concussion