Simon thrilled to be back with Westfield Matildas
Kyah Simon wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet but the striker was thrilled just to be back on the pitch with the Westfield Matildas on Wednesday night.
The attacker came off the bench for the final 20 minutes as Australia outclassed China 3-0 in the first of a two-game friendly series at AAMI Park.
The Melbourne City star hadn’t played for the Matildas since March’s Algarve Cup, with multiple shoulder reconstructions keeping her sidelined for more than six months.
“Obviously exciting to get back on the pitch with the girls and get some minutes under my belt. Pretty pleased to get back out there,” Simon told reporters post-game.
“It would have been nice [to score] but my number one goal was to get back out there, get comfortable on the ball and get some touches.
“It was a good game to come back to. The girls did a great job to already bang in three goals at that point.
“It would have been nice to get one but at the end of the day I’m just happy to be back out there playing.”
Sam Kerr netted twice – her second a stunning long-range missile – as the Matildas completely overpowered the World’s 13th-ranked nation.
But despite the dominant display, Simon felt the team could have been more clinical in front of goal after failing to fully capitalise on a host of chances.
“Yeah I think we probably could have even scored a few more,” Simon said.
“It was a dominant performance, scoring three goals but we can always continually improve and we’ve got another opportunity on Sunday to build on that performance.”
Australia face China again on Sunday in Geelong and Simon is hopeful of seeing more game time at GMHBA Stadium, potentially from the outset.
“I might. I don’t know what Staj is going to do but as long as I get some minutes it’s always preparing and building on what I’ve done previously.
“For me, my number one goal was to get back fit and healthy and back in the squad, and that’s what I’ve done.
“Now it’s about the next goal and that’s to continually improve, get better and make sure I cement my spot in the squad.”