Matildas vs Brazil: What we learned as Mary Fowler shows superstar potential

Kieran Francis

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Matildas vs Brazil: What we learned as Mary Fowler shows superstar potential image

The Matildas finished their two-game series against Brazil unbeaten with a 2-2 draw at CommBank Stadium after squandering a two-goal lead in the second match.

Mary Fowler showed superstar potential with a quality performance in midfield, while Sam Kerr displayed her talismanic abilities with another goal for her nation.

However, a tired Australia were under the pump for large swathes of the 90 minutes as Brazil pressed forward but failed to make the most of the chances.

Here's what we learned from the match...

Mary Fowler could be absolutely anything

Mary Fowler is only 18.

But her skill, composure and abilities belied her young years with a quality performance in the middle of the park.

Regularly, she pinged passes to set her teammates free down the flanks with unbelievable precision.

When pressed by Brazil's midfielders and defenders, Fowler had the composure to gather time for herself and then find a teammate.

She was also desperately unlucky not to score Australia's second goal after a starting a move and then nearly finishing it off, with her shot from a tight angle slamming into the post.

While she did fade a little in the second half, Fowler has the potential to be an absolute weapon in the women's game once she gets more endurance and experience.

Poor Matildas defending kickstarts Brazil's comeback

It was a decent performance defensively by the Matildas but the failure to be organised in one moment allowed Brazil the opportunity to get back in the game.

With the corner swung in to the heart of the six-yard box, no Matildas defender attacked the ball allowing Erika a free header in the six-yard box to pull a goal back.

It was almost a free header for Erika and a warning that one moment of hesitation can allow an opposition to strike.

Coach Tony Gustavsson relayed his disappointment about conceding a goal from a set piece and the Matildas will need to work on their concentration in important defensive moments.

More Matildas options emerge throughout the second half

Can Clare Wheeler do it for the Matildas?

Based on her performance in the second half, the answer is yes.

The 23-year-old, who plies her trade for Danish side Fortuna Hjørring, excelled on the ball through the middle the latter stages of the game.

With Fowler also impressing in a deeper midfield role, the Matildas options throughout the park are starting to build ahead of next year's Asian Cup and the 2023 World Cup.

Angie Beard also looked a likely type once again after slotting in to the defence for the final 10 minutes.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.