She helped the Matildas deliver a resolute defensive performance in the 0-0 draw against the USA in their final group game of the Olympic tournament, setting up a quarter-final battle with fierce rivals Great Britain on Friday night.
Now two wins away from an Olympic medal, and three from gold, the Matildas held strong against a star-studded American team who could not break down their defence, before playing it safe in the final stages to secure their place in the knockout round.
The scoreless draw secured third place in Group G for the Aussies, with coach Tony Gustavsson putting faith in other results to not only book a quarterfinal place but also avoid an early matchup against the Dutch.
It proved to be the perfect plan as The Netherlands thrashed China 8-2 to top their group and set up a quarter-final against the USA.
Bankstown City Lions FC Women’s Convenor Denise Hinton said it was disappointing that Mary missed a couple of chances but she was instrumental in keeping the USA scoreless.
“The whole team is playing amazing football and it would have been nice to beat them but we’ll take what we can get,” she said.
“Mary and the other young women have worked so hard to get there and it would be fantastic to see them go all the way.”
Mary helps gritty Matildas keep Olympic dream alive
THE crossbar rattled early in the Matildas’ scoreless clash with USA last night as former Bankstown FC City Lions star Mary Fowler headed against the bar following a flick-on from a corner creating the best of their chances to score.
