Matildas veteran Emily van Egmond sees no reason why sensation Mary Fowler can't follow in her footsteps and head to a World Cup as a teenager.
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The pair are training in Colorado this week in the lead up to Australia's friendly with world champions USA on Friday at lunchtime (AEDT).
Fowler has returned to the Matildas after debuting at age 15 last year in the States, coming on as an injury-time substitute against Brazil.
She's since wowed off the bench in cameos against fellow top-10 nations France and England last year, and will be in the frame for minutes against the world No.1s as coach Ante Milicic looks to sharpen his World Cup squad.
Van Egmond, who went to the 2011 World Cup as a 17-year-old, said Milicic should put Fowler's youth out of his mind and decide on merit.
"Age is just a number. It comes down to how you are as a footballer," she said.
"She wouldn't be here if she didn't have the talent.
"She's quite physical for her age.
"She's a 16 year old, you would be ecstatic to be in the national team. I'm sure she's buzzing.
"It's another opportunity for her to come in and showcase what she can do."
Australia have a great tradition of blooding teenagers on the world stage.
At the 2011 World Cup in Germany, a 16-year-old Caitlin Foord wowed onlookers to win the young player of the tournament award as a full-back.
Foord has since moved up the pitch to be a central part of Australia's attack.
Captain and superstar Sam Kerr, Teigen Allen and van Egmond attended that same tournament as 17-year-olds.
Clare Polkinghorne went to the 2007 tournament as an 18-year-old, while last time out in Canada 19-year-old Larissa Crummier was Australia's youngest.
While Australia will certainly have one teenager in France - Ellie Carpenter - it's still touch and go whether Fowler reaches the final 23-woman squad.
She could be competing with Princess Ibini, also 19, and veteran Kyah Simon, for a role.
Fowler has an advantage in being able to show her wares against the tournament favourites.
"You respect the best nations in the world. But there's a fine line with that," van Egmond said.
"There's no shying away from the fact that America is number one for a reason.
"I don't think we have fear. We have excitement."
AUSSIE TEENS AT THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
2015 World Cup - Larissa Crummer (19)
2011 World Cup - Caitlin Foord (16), Sam Kerr, Teigen Allen, Emily van Egmond (17), Casey Dumont (19)
2007 World Cup - Clare Polkinghorne (18).
Australian Associated Press
