Mary Fowler in three-year first as Matildas rocked by devastating news about Katrina Gorry
The Matildas are set to take on Brazil in two friendlies, but will be without a key member.
Mary Fowler has continued her stellar season for Manchester City in the Women's Champions League on Friday, while Katrina Gorry has injured her shoulder and has withdrawn from the Matildas squad for the Brazil friendlies. Fowler is continuing her impressive form for City having played 90 minutes in the group stage game of the Women's Champions League.
City advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2021, even though there are two matches to play, with the 2-1 win over Hammarby in the Group D clash. Khadija Shaw was the star of the show for City having scored both goals to keep the English club top of the group with four wins. There perfect start to the Champions League echoes a brilliant start in the Women's Super League as they trail leaders Chelsea by two points.
Arsenal also progressed to the quarter-final with Caitlin Foord starting up front and Steph Catley at the back. Young star Kyra Cooney-Cross was an unused substitute, but all three Aussies will progress to the quarter-final.
Unfortunately for the Matildas, Gorry suffered a shoulder injury for West Ham on the weekend against Brighton. While not serious, she isn't able to fly home to Australia and take part in the clashes against Brazil.
The home friendlies against Brazil are a huge attraction in Australia and the Matildas will miss the striker against the World No.8 team. The Matildas are ranked No.15 in the world.
Everton's Clare Wheeler has also withdrawn from the squad having injured her leg in the Women's Super League. The Matildas will play Brazil in a two-match series on 28 November. Fans were rightfully upset to see Gorry and Wheeler travel home for the clashes against Brazil.
Poor Mini 😞
— Donna Jones (@Mrs_J_woso) November 21, 2024
With Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler ruled out of the Matildas I would hope any re-shuffle involves Izzy Gomez being considered for the Brazil segment of the four-match window.
The trajectory is only going one way 📈 https://t.co/D4qCOy6Whv— Teo Pellizzeri (@teopellizzeri) November 21, 2024
Heal up well Mini, you’ll be missed x
— 🫧⚒️Jane ⚒️🫧 (@Janehay0712) November 21, 2024
Hope she is back soon, she can't catch a break with injuries ⚒
— misfit38 ⚒🫧 (@misfituser38) November 21, 2024
Man City respond after first defeat of season
Fowler and her teammates were heading into the European clash against Hammarby after their first loss of the season in a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea in the Women's Super League. However, with Fowler starting up front on the left in a 4-3-3 formation, City were too strong and responded with aplomb.
City were joined by Sam Kerr's Chelsea, Australian coach Joe Montemurro's Lyon, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Barcelona as the teams that have already qualified for the quarter-finals.
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Fowler will return to Australia for the friendlies against Brazil and all eyes will be on wear the dynamic forward plays. Against Switzerland last month, Fowler was used in a deep-lying midfield role in the post-Tony Gustavsson era.
Fowler came up as a traditional No.9 and plays as a winger and striker for English club side Manchester City. But against Switzerland Tom Sermanni played her in a deep-lying midfield role, meaning she failed to get many meaningful touches in goal-scoring positions. And football fans were left disapoointed with her role.
