Matt Simon says he’s grateful for the opportunity given to him by Sydney FC

IT took 11 rounds for him to start, but Sydney FC striker Matt Simon has been content to bide his time, knowing that there might have been no opportunities at all.

IT took 11 rounds for him to start, but Sydney FC striker Matt Simon has been content to bide his time, knowing that there might have been no opportunities at all.

Simon led the line for Sydney last weekend in the 1-1 draw with Wellington, and hopes to keep his place against his former club the Mariners at Allianz Stadium.

But any involvement is to be valued, after Simon admitted he wondered if his second stint in the A-League might be over just a few months ago.

Released contentiously by the Mariners — after a season cruelled by injury, a function of missing much of pre-season for family reasons — Simon got to August with little on the table in Australia.

“Any player who’s off contract faces a waiting period,” Simon said. “The thought does go through your head that you might have to leave the A-League and seek an opportunity elsewhere, maybe in East Asia.

“But suddenly I had the opportunity to come to Sydney after a conversation with Graham Arnold, and ever since I’ve arrived I’ve realised the professionalism and the resources they have here.

Matt Simon attempts to beat the defence of Albert Riera and Andrew Durante of the Phoenix.

“Last season was a hard one for, having missed pre-season because of family reasons, and the decision was taken out of my hands about staying at the Mariners.

“So now to have had a full pre-season under Andrew Clark, I feel like I’m getting stronger as the season goes on — just like the team.”

Simon got his chance due to injuries to Shane Smeltz and Alex Brosque though he has already had a major impact this season by scoring twice on his return to Gosford to earn Sydney a 3-1 win in October.

But with the spotlight on the Sky Blues’ strikers after a record of 11 goals in 11 games, Simon admitted they all have to deliver.

“Every striker wants more goals, that’s our responsibility, we know that as a group,” he said. “So far we’ve shown in patches what we’re capable of, but it’s essential now we build on that in the second half of the season.”

Originally published as Matt Simon says he’s grateful for the opportunity given to him by Sydney FC