Kyah Simon says her two-goal haul which spurred the Matildas to a valuable 2-0 World Cup win over Nigeria was a highlight of her career.
Simon, recalled to the starting side by coach Alen Stajcic, made the most of her opportunity with a goal in each half in Winnipeg to keep the Aussies hopes of progression to the quarter-finals alive.
Simon stars as Matildas down feisty Nigeria
She showed all her experience and class for both goals, making smart runs in the box before finishing with composure.
“Credit to the person that played it to me and I just happened to be on the end of it,” a modest Simon told SBS afterwards.
“I always love scoring for my country, to get two in one game and it’s definitely a highlight of my career.
“I’m speechless. It’s one thing to lose the first game but it takes a lot of character and a lot of hard work to get back and win that second game.
“All credit to the girls, we fought to the end and a well-deserved three points.”
Simon’s first goal came after a superb solo run by skipper Lisa De Vanna as she left two Nigerian defenders in her wake before a brilliant pass to her striker.
“I knew she would give them a lot of trouble,” Simon said of De Vanna.
“When she’s on the ball and she’s running at the backline you always know she’s going to come up with something,
“I just thought to dart in behind and get on the end of it. She did all the hard work and I just got on the end of it.”
Simon was the pick of an impressive bunch for the Matildas, who were decisive when they needed to be in attack but also much more resolute at the back.
‘Keeper Lydia Williams hardly had a save to make while Elise Kellond-Knight did another excellent job shielding the back-four from midfield.
The three points gives the Matildas a huge chance to make the quarter-finals now, providing they can get a good result in their final group game against Sweden on Wednesday (AEST).
“If we put in a combination of the first games performance and this game I think we’ll definitely be able to get on top,” Simon said of that clash.
“There’s always things to improve on. We have to really rest up and recover for that game and hopefully when we play Sweden we can give them a run for their money.”
