At just 20 years of age, Matildas star Mary Fowler has already captured the imagination of a nation during Australia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign.
She has stepped up in the absence of injured skipper Sam Kerr, scoring her first ever international goal during the Matildas’ 4-0 rout of Canada last week before starring in Australia’s 2-0 Round of 16 victory over Denmark on Monday night.
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But one question about the youngster has been left unanswered — until now.
Why does she wear the black gloves?
In an interview with Fowler, former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer made a cheeky suggestion about why it might be.
“See, I’ve got a feeling, I think, it’s because you really, deep down, want to be a goalkeeper,” he said in jest.
“Of course you think that!” Fowler responded, before revealing the real reason why.
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“No, I mean, I haven’t told anyone yet what (the reason is) — it’s a bit silly.
“But I honestly just wear gloves because I get really fidgety. Usually I train with a ring on, but if it’s cold, I wear gloves, and I can’t wear a ring in a match, so I usually wear gloves.”
Fowler has assumed more responsibility throughout the World Cup in Sam Kerr’s absence — and she’s been up to the task at every step of the way.
Rather than a burden, Fowler is seeing her extra responsibility as an opportunity.
It’s one she plans to take with both hands.
“It’s great. It’s an amazing opportunity, and one that not many people get,” Fowler said on Saturday.
“I’ve come in at a really fortunate time when we have a home World Cup, and we have a squad that’s so willing to fight for that win and fight for their country.
“I’m just enjoying being able to play with the older girls and learn from them, and then hopefully when I get chances like this, I’m able to fill the shoes of whoever was there before me.”
The Matildas made their way through to the quarter-finals with the 2-0 win over Denmark at a raucous Stadium Australia in Sydney on Monday.
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Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso hit the scoresheet either side of half-time on a brilliant night capped off by skipper Kerr returning from injury — to joyous scenes in the crowd — for the final 15 minutes.
The Matildas will next take the field on Saturday evening in Brisbane, battling France or Morocco for a spot in the semi-finals.
And on Monday night in Sydney they proved they can win in more ways than one after absorbing early pressure, hitting back and holding strong.
More than 1.7 million tickets have been sold across the tournament, while in China, an extraordinary 53.9 million viewers watched the Steel Roses’ match against England.
There have been bumper crowds in Australia in particular, while the Matildas have enjoyed a record attendance.
“It’s amazing. It’s stuff that you probably won’t be able to fully take in until it’s finished and you have a proper moment to sit back and reflect on it,” Fowler said.
“But I’ve said so many times, I think I’ve come into women’s football at the perfect time.
“Because there are so many opportunities for female footballers these days, and seeing the amount of growth it’s had, the amount of people that come out to watch us and support us, it’s unbelievable, and it’s stuff that I wouldn’t have thought possible when I was starting out.
“It’s crazy. It’s unbelievable. And I’m really lucky to be able to have the opportunity to be part of it all.”
– With AAP
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
