Matildas gamble on recovering ‘game changer’ Simon
Matildas veteran Kyah Simon has completed the unlikeliest of comebacks to win a spot in Australia’s Women’s World Cup squad, nine months after tearing a ligament in her knee.
Coach Tony Gustavsson and captain Sam Kerr unveiled the 23-player squad in Melbourne on Monday.
Kyah Simon celebrates after scoring for the Matildas against the US in a friendly in 2021. Getty
Simon appeared almost certain to miss a second consecutive World Cup through injury, having not played a competitive game since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament when playing for Tottenham in October.
But Simon, 32, was included in Australia’s provisional squad and featured in a recent Gold Coast training camp, where players whose form was in doubt or who had injuries pressed their selection cases.
Gustavsson confirmed Simon would be a substitute option who could be used as a “game changer” off the bench.
“She’s not selected based on where she is right now, she’s selected based on where we’re thinking she comes in a month from now,” he said.
“She has a phenomenal connection with not just Sam, but all the players. There’s an understanding and a history there on the pitch that we’ve seen multiple times.
“The last time I saw it was in the Olympics when she was behind a lot of our goals. So she’s based on being a game changer.
“I’ve been very clear to Kyah, I don’t expect her to start the game, I don’t think she’s going to be ready for that, but the game changer off the bench.”
Gustavsson noted he could change his squad up to 24 hours before the first match, against Ireland on July 20.
Injury-plagued Manchester City centre-back Alanna Kennedy hasn’t featured for the Matildas since September, but has also been named in the squad.
Tameka Yallop, Clare
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