Veteran Kyah Simon overcomes ACL to make Matildas World Cup squad

A veteran Aussie star who hasn’t played since last October after suffering an ACL injury has earnt a miracle World Cup berth.

World Cup heartbreak for Chloe Logarzo. Picture: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has backed in veterans Kyah Simon and Alanna Kennedy despite their heavily interrupted preparation, with the pair named in Australia’s final World Cup 23-player squad.

The experienced Matildas duo can breathe a sigh of relief, but luckless midfielder Chloe Logarzo is among six players omitted from last week’s provisional 29-player squad after failing to prove her fitness.

Logarzo has battled plantar fasciitis since rupturing her ACL in September 2021 playing for the Matildas against Ireland, managing only six substitute appearances after returning to the A-League Women’s to play for Western United last season.

Simon has completed a stunning comeback from an ACL injury in October last year to make the squad, with Gustavsson saying her potential to impact games off the bench had put her ahead of strong competition for the final attacking spot in the squad.

“(Simon) is not selected based on where she’s at right now, eight months post-op, she’s selected on where we’re thinking she can be a month from now,” he said.

Kyah Simon is back in the Matildas squad. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I don’t expect her to start the game, I don’t think she’s ready for that, but being a game changer off the bench and change the game when you’re needed.”

Gustavsson said he emphasised to the six omitted players that they could still be called upon before the tournament as several squad members still needed to overcome injury concerns.

“You can always replace a player up to 24 hours before the opening game,” he said.

Matildas stalwarts Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop were included in the squad despite injury-interrupted years, while Kennedy has survived a nervous wait after injuries crippled her Women’s Super League campaign with Manchester City, where she made only four appearances.

🌏🏆SQUAD: 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃.

Introducing our 23-player squad for the #FIFAWWC - ready to give it our all on home soil!#TilitsDonepic.twitter.com/igvxAhRgQQ

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 3, 2023

Seven players have been named in their first World Cup squad, while 15 squad members return from the Matildas’ 2019 campaign that ended with a defeat on penalties to Norway in the round of 16.

“To see so many debutants for the tournament speaks to the hard work of the players themselves but also the coaching staff and support staff as we looked to build depth in the squad,” Gustavsson said.

“This is a special group of players who, when you see the anticipation around the tournament and level of interest for women’s football, have already sparked a transformation. We can’t wait to get the tournament under way in front of a record crowd of support.”

The six players who were cut from last week’s squad were Logarzo, goalkeeper Jada Whyman, midfielder Amy Sayer and forwards Remy Siemsen, Emily Gielnik and Larissa Crummer.

Gustavsson stressed to the six they could still be called upon, with the Matildas allowed to adjust their squad until 24 hours before their tournament opener against Ireland on July 20.

MATILDAS WORLD CUP SQUAD

Lydia Williams, Courtney Nevin, Aivi Luik, Clare Polkinghorne, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Steph Catley, Alex Chidiac, Caitlin Foord, Emily van Egmond, Mary Fowler, Teagan Micah, Tameka Yallop, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Mackenzie Arnold, Katrina Gorry, Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant, Kyra Cooney-Cross.