Whizkid Fowler out to shake things up Arzani-style for Matildas at World Cup

It was Daniel Arzani providing the teen spirit for the Socceroos at Russia 2018 - now the Matildas are anticipating 16-year-old Mary Fowler making a similar splash at next month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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With coach Ante Mililic to unveil his 23-strong squad for France on Tuesday - the X-factor name on the list - as was the case with Arzani a year ago - could be the captivating kid from Cairns.

The exciting striker has already shown flashes of her unfurling talent in four senior appearances off the bench - including against the USA last month.

And her recent seven-goal burst in three games in Myanmar for the Young Matildas, as they advanced to the AFC under-19 women’s championships, was a vivid reminder of her potential.

Bidding to become the youngest Australian player of either gender to appear at a World Cup Fowler, according to Matildas assistant coach Gary van Egmond, can turn the tournament into a launch pad for a skyrocketing career.

“When you’re at the World Cup there’s a good opportunity to be scouted for one of the more professional leagues around the world and I have no doubt that will be the case with Mary,” he predicted.

“It’s a career path which has aided a lot of the other girls in the team, and I think Mary will be no different.

“We don’t want to put pressure on her ... we want to let her enjoy things.

“But she will be looking at this tournament as an opportunity to showcase her wares.”

Fowler, who is also eligible for the Republic of Ireland through her father, is firmly back in the fold after making her debut at just 15 against Brazil last year, only to soon after head to Europe to train with her ensemble of talented siblings in a five-month absence which cast doubts over her green and gold future.

The Arzani comparisons are not lost on van Egmond, who doubles as the Young Matildas head coach while spearheading the Future Matildas Program.

“Absolutely she fits that type of category,” he added.

“It’s all about taking that next step now, and the only way to know if she can take that step is to throw her in the deep end a little a bit whilst at the same time carefully managing her development.

“She knows where the goals are, there’s no doubt about that. She is dangerous with both feet, can shoot from distance and score with one touch.

“Physically, she’s certainly up to the challenge in terms of her development and when she came off the bench recently against the US she did well.”

Technically, van Egmond, says Fowler is the best he’s worked with at her age, ahead of the likes of Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord from the class of 2011.

“She lives and breathes the game and is totally dedicated to becoming a player at the top end,” he said.

“She’s very different to the ones that came through in 2011, players like Sam, Caitlin Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy and (his daughter) Emily (van Egmond).

“Mary doesn’t maybe have the dynamic speed of (fellow forwards) Sam or Caitlin but she’s definitely better technically than both those girls were at the same age.

“She’s really of an out-and-out goal scoring number nine, anything in the box she’s going to finish. She also holds the ball up really well. 

“She won’t burn anybody with blistering pace but she can beat a player with her skills, and from switching from one foot to another.

“It’s fantastic that she’s chosen Australia. In Myanmar it was great to see her really interacting with all of the girls.

“She’s been on a different path in a way and hasn’t known a lot of these girls as she’s been growing up through the ranks. She’s lived overseas for a period of time

“I think she has much more of a belonging feeling now.

“It’s exciting to have somebody like her coming through.

“We just have to make sure we nurture her the best way possible.”