Kyah Simon’s winning goal at the weekend brought a smile to an Australian football community which has missed her dearly.
The Matildas veteran is back in full swing after an interrupted 2019, where she was sidelined for most of the year with recurring ankle and hamstring injuries.
While she is yet to play a full 90 minutes for City this season, the 28-year-old says the last fortnight has been one of the most enjoyable.
“It’s a gradual build coming back from any injury,” she said.
“I’m still feeling I’m getting back to my old ways and getting my feet back at training and I’m starting to feel like my old self physically.
“I think first-and-foremost playing without any pain or injury has brought a smile back to my face when I’m playing.
“I’m enjoying my football the most I ever have in these last two weeks because it’s been a long time between wickets for me and I’m really stoked to be back out there injury free doing what I love.”
Simon made her first start in Round 2 and came off after 62 minutes in City’s win over Adelaide United at the weekend.
City sits third on the table after three rounds and meet league leaders and reigning Champions Sydney FC at Cromer Park this Saturday.
It is expected up to nine Matildas will take the field when the two sides meet, with Simon excited to add another chapter in this “unspoken rivalry” between the two clubs.
“It’s always fun facing other Matildas and the other girls who I’m close with,” she said.
“I think City and Sydney have this unspoken rivalry over the course of the last few years where it’s been neck-to-neck and I think it’s going to be exciting and so much quality on the park.
“It’s been a slow start for us the difference between last year and this year is we were dropping points in these early games where we weren’t playing our best.
“This year we’re picking up vital points that could really be crucial towards the back end of the season.”
Simon’s return has been timed well with the Matildas set for a host of qualifiers for next year’s Olympics.
Ante Milicic’s side will meet China, Thailand and Chinese Tapei en route to qualification for the Tokyo games.
“[Been] in close communication with the coaching staff Ante [Milicic] and Ivan [Jolic] they understand my situation and the tough couple of years I’ve been going through and I think from everyone at the club, to national team to myself we all want the same thing,” she said.
Featured Image: Westfield Matildas
