By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Kyah Simon was a “moody wreck” pondering retirement from soccer while undergoing rehab for a serious knee injury but the clouds have parted just in time for the Australia forward to take part in the co-hosts’ Women’s World Cup campaign.
The 111-cap veteran was named in Tony Gustavsson’s 23-woman squad on Monday, only eight months after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Having missed the 2019 World Cup in France due to injury, the race to be fit for the tournament co-hosted with New Zealand proved almost unbearable at times for the 32-year-old striker.
“I had doubts in my mind throughout that time, why do I want to play football really? Why do I want to put myself through this?” she told reporters at the Matildas’ new base in Melbourne.
“Emotionally, I was a moody wreck some days and then other days I would be on top of the world because I had small wins in my rehab.
“I tried to stay present, just day by day and not think about the World Cup.”
Having had no idea whether she would make the squad until a few days ago, Simon said she burst into tears when Gustavsson confirmed she was part of his plans.
“The challenges I’ve faced, it wasn’t a smooth sailing rehab, there were ups and downs,” said Simon, who was released by Women’s Super League club Tottenham Hotspur a month ago.
“For it to finally come to a head and obviously achieve that goal I set when I underwent surgery was just massive relief, I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.”
Gustavsson conceded Simon may not be fully fit for Australia’s World Cup opener against Ireland on July 20 but said her ability to be a “game-changer” off the bench made her too difficult to leave out.
The Swede will likely start with Caitlin Foord and captain-striker Sam Kerr up front for the Matildas but Gustavsson also has Mary Fowler and speedy winger Cortnee Vine to pick from.
Simon said she would have no problem seeing team mates selected ahead of her, so long as she could make an impact at some stage.
“I haven’t got a whole season under my belt — or two or three seasons,” she said.
“So the discussion with Tony was that maybe I will have a different role.
“Whether I am a starter at some point in the tournament, I’m getting myself in the best physical shape and form that I possibly can be.”
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Ed Osmond)
