Matildas star Mary Fowler is blown away by support she’s getting from tiny village in Papua New Guinea during the World Cup

Matildas midfielder Mary Fowler has been blown away by support she’s received from football fans during the Women’s World Cup – and especially from a tiny village in Papua New Guinea. 

Fowler, 20, has announced herself as an authentic Matildas superstar over the last few weeks, but she could have easily played for different nations.

Born in Cairns to an Irish father and Papua New Guinean mother, Fowler has supporters all over the world.

The Manchester City player is proudly Australian, but has recently payed homage to her growing supporter base in the village of Kira Kira in Port Moresby.

The tiny PNG town has transformed into a Mary Fowler fan club over the last couple of weeks, with hundreds of people getting together to publicly watch Matildas matches.

Matildas midfielder Mary Fowler has been touched by support she’s getting from PNG

The tiny town of Kira Kira in Port Moresby has transformed into a Mary Fowler fan club 

Fowler took to Instagram recently to share photos from the village where her mother was born and show her appreciation.  

‘Touches my heart…so proud to be Papuan,’ she wrote. ‘Sending love to you all.’

Fowler posted the message alongside photos of supporters, including people standing under a banner saying: ‘Kira Kira Village. The home of Koita Maiyago. Mary Boio Fowler.’

A forward with breathtaking athleticism, dribbling skills and innate game awareness, Aussie superstar Sam Kerr dubbed Fowler the ‘next big thing’ in football last year.

Veteran coach Alen Stajcic, who gave Fowler her National debut at just 15 years of age, labelled her the ‘most talented female player’ he’d ever seen. So huge things have been expected of her for some time.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia as her documentary series Mary on 7Plus prepared to air, Fowler revealed the heartbreaking sacrifices she has had to make on her way to becoming one of the hottest properties in female football.

And while being a globe-trotting football superstar might seem a glamorous life to some, Fowler said the last few years certainly came with their challenges.

‘It can be quite hard sometimes. When I was in France, I hadn’t seen my family for three years. I hadn’t been back home, so it is quite hard at times,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

Hundreds of people have gathered together wearing yellow to support Fowler

Fowler took to Instagram to show her appreciation and respect to the town of Kira Kira

Aussie superstar Sam Kerr dubbed Fowler the ‘next big thing’ in football last year

‘But I think that’s why it gives you so much more motivation to want to get the most out of your time while you’re away, to make those sacrifices worth it.

‘I have video calls with my family and I see my younger siblings growing up. They finish high school, they go to prom, and I don’t get to be part of any of that.

‘And it’s those moments that make you realise how much you’re missing to be where you are.

‘So it kind of it gives me a lot more motivation and drive to really be the best footballer I can be, because that’s the only way it’s going to be making those sacrifices worth it.’

The Matildas will play England on Wednesday night at Stadium Australia in Sydney, with the winner taking on either Spain or Sweden in the final next Sunday.