Injured Matildas striker Kyah Simon in danger of missing next year’s Women’s World Cup

‘Devastated’ Matildas star Kyah Simon is facing a racing against the clock to be fit for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Matildas striker Kyah Simon (centre) has suffered a serious knee injury. Picture: Adam Head

Shattered Matildas star Kyah Simon’s hopes of representing Australia at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup are in tatters after she confirmed she had suffered a serious knee injury playing for her English club Tottenham.

The former Sydney FC and Melbourne City striker tore her anterior cruciate ligament in Spurs’ 2-1 English Women’s League Cup weekend win over Reading.
With the Women’s World Cup starting in Australia and New Zealand in July, Simon is facing a huge battle to recover in time for the tournament.

However, the 31-year-old forward promised to do everything she could to return “as soon” as possible.

“Feared the worst, devastated to have torn my ACL in Sunday’s game,” Simon tweeted.

“Sport can sometimes be so cruel, I’ll do everything to be back as soon as I can.”

Simon will have surgery in the coming days, with a Matildas spokesperson saying she would be “working towards the Women’s World Cup in 2023”.

Feared the worst, devastated to have torn my ACL in Sunday’s game 💔 Sport can sometimes be so cruel, I’ll do everything to be back as soon as I can x pic.twitter.com/cikYCxkzrk

— Kyah Simon (@KyahSimon) October 4, 2022

Matildas captain Sam Kerr showed her support for Simon on social media.

“With you every step of the way,” Kerr tweeted.

The Matildas continue their World Cup preparations with a match against South Africa in London on Saturday night.

The Australians are also in action next Wednesday morning against Denmark in Viborg.

Australia’s Arsenal attacker Caitlin Foord said: “Time is limited when they get such a short window every month. We’re just trying to take every opportunity we get within that time.

“Obviously, this one’s a good example of that time with the camp being in Europe. We’ve already trained once where normally that’s us coming off the plane or coming in at different times, and all on different levels.

“This camp has been really good so far to be able to start and prepare a lot earlier than normal.

“It’s just about playing good football, feeling good, coming together again and playing how we know we can.”

Originally published as Injured Matildas striker Kyah Simon in danger of missing next year’s Women’s World Cup