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A wild 6-5 win over Zambia, along with defeats to America and Germany — the eventual gold and bronze medallists respectively — raised serious questions over Australia’s commitment to the cause amid suggestions the team was too “pampered”.

Football Australia chief executive James Johnson hit back hard at those assertions after the Matildas were knocked out in the first round.

“This narrative of pampering is very disappointing to hear,” he said.

“We’re very proud of the environment that we’ve set up for the Matildas, they’re not being pampered, they’re being treated like professionals.”

Fowler attended a press conference in Perth on Tuesday ahead of her club side Manchester City’s appearance in the International Football Cup alongside West Ham, Leicester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

And the 21-year-old was bombarded with questions about Australia’s disappointing Olympic campaign.

“I think we definitely worked as hard as we could to prepare for the tournament,” Fowler said. “I think sometimes football just doesn’t go your way.

“Being at home and having that home advantage, it’s very different playing a home World Cup (compared) to being overseas.

“Sometimes things don’t go your way and we definitely reflect on that as a team and I’m sure the girls have done that individually as well.”

The results dropped Australia three places to 15th in the FIFA rankings and also ended Tony Gustavsson’s four-year run as Matildas coach.

Football Australia said it would take time appointing Gustavsson’s successor and Fowler had little insight to offer when asked about the coaching situation.

“I actually don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t really paid much thought to it.

“I’m very focused on just what I can control and what I do as a player.

“I feel we all really want to win something with the national team.

“Having another opportunity to do that, I think a lot of us will work for the next year and a bit to try and get it done.”

The Matildas have another huge opportunity to secure some silverware when Australia hosts the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.

That tournament also serves as the final qualifying stage for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Asked if the issues with the Matildas in Paris were more technical or psychological, Fowler said there was plenty to learn heading into future games for the national side.

“It was probably a bit of both,” she said. “From a personal level, I definitely reflected on how I was mentally.

“It was a different kind of pressure than I’ve dealt with before.

“(But) it’s kind of nice to have those experiences and know that next time when you get into that same situation, you will be able to deal with it better.”

Manchester City open the Football Cup against Leicester City at HBF Park on Wednesday night, with West Ham taking on PSG the following night before a double-header on Sunday.