Kyah Simon’s family books World Cup tickets after star helps Matildas book place
INDIGENOUS Matildas icon Kyah Simon is expected to feature at her third World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Japan at the Asian Cup led to a semi-final berth and a place at the FIFA tournament and an epic family vacation.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MATILDAS forward Kyah Simon’s AFC Asian Cup assist which led to Sam Kerr’s goal on Saturday ultimately confirmed a family reunion at the France FIFA World Cup next year.
Indigenous icon Simon, 26, is expected to feature at her third World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Japan at the Asian Cup led to a semi-final berth which also handed Australia a spot at women’s soccer’s No.1 FIFA tournament.
Simon says she misses her family for good reason in Amman after her mum Pam and brothers Wes and Adam three years ago hired a Dodge mini-van and travelled about 9000km across Canada to watch her represent the Matildas with pride at the FIFA World Cup.
She says Pam will now book tickets for a trip of a lifetime to France after Kerr’s wonder goal sealed Australia’s World Cup fate.
“Mum is saving the pennies for France,’’ Simon said.
“We‘re keeping in touch through social media and sending them messages through FaceTime.
“They’re watching me closely from back home.
“Mum has been in touch with me the most in Amman.
“She sent me a message “oh we’re going to France next year” it’s just as much their journey as it is mine.
“It’s nice to have them there with me for the important major tournaments as well.”
Simon is recovering from a hamstring injury she picked up during the W-League grand final win for Melbourne City in February.
She is however clearly back on track.
Simon won player of the match in her 90 minutes during an 8-0 Group B win over Vietnam last week, scoring the opening goal before making a huge impact off the bench in the final 20 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Japan at Amman Stadium.
Game time is proof that Simon is nearing peak fitness.
Now she is hoping to again impress Matildas coach Alen Stajcic to play any part against Thailand at King Abdullah II Stadium on Wednesday morning (EST).
“Staj (Stajcic) made it clear before the game against Japan that if I was to come on I was going to have make a big impact as I could and that’s all that was in the back of my mind,’’ Simon said.
“As a sub you want to come on and change the game in a positive way, it was hard being a goal down and I hoped I positively impacted the team when I came on, to give it a bit of a boost.
“For me being out for seven weeks and raced against the clock to get back to this tournament, I’m just grateful I’m back to be part of this tournament.
“I was a slim chance even to get back this tournament and managing my hammy (hamstring) throughout this tournament has been the key.”