Kyah Simon is a game-changer, history-maker, and the latest Matilda to bring up 100 appearances.
Joining the likes of Cheryl Salisbury, Lisa De Vanna, Heather Garriock, Joey Peters, and Anissa Tann, Simon is Australia’s ninth centurion and is the first Indigenous footballer to reach this milestone.
The proud Anaiwan and Biripi woman joins current teammates Clare Polkinghorne, Elise Kellond-Knight, and Emily van Egmond in the 100 club and is the first Indigenous Matilda to reach the milestone.
Simon’s national team career is one filled with extraordinary highs and brutal lows.
Since debuting at age 16 in a game against Hong Kong in 2007, Simon has gone to two FIFA Women’s World Cups, two Olympics, and three AFC Women’s Asian Cups.
On a rainy night in Chengdu, back in 2010, an 18-year-old Kyah Simon stepped up to take Australia’s final penalty in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup final.
Seemingly unfazed by the magnitude of the moment, she converted and won Australia its first ever Asian Cup. The celebrations of the Matildas in the rain are instantly recognisable.
A year later in Germany, she became the first Indigenous Australian to score at a FIFA Women’s World Cup with a brace against Norway.
In 2015, she proved she lives for the big moments when she got her name on the scoresheet in Moncton, Canada.
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Up against Brazil, Lisa De Vanna’s initial shot was parried into the path of Simon. She made no mistake on the rebound. The celebration is once again iconic. Simon, with her arms outstretched, running in the rain. Navy shirt, yellow collar.
It was Australia’s first win in a knockout game at a World Cup.
But for every game-winning goals there’s been a big injury. Unfortunately for Simon, they are something she had to get used to. A year or so before her Matildas debut, she broke her tibia and fibula in a local match at age 15.
But that injury taught her resilience and Simon is one of the most determined and strong Matildas around.
There’s been shoulder surgeries, ankle surgeries, an ACL tear, knee reconstruction, and plenty of niggles and strains.
Despite their quantity, Simon’s story is not one of injury. For every set back, she has returned bigger and better. Even in making this Olympic squad she had to overcome more surgeries and a limited domestic season.
Her best absolutely outshines her setbacks and heartbreaks. Through talent and perseverance, she has now joined that exclusive 100 club.
At Tokyo 2020 she has shown just how good she is, playing with freedom out wide and more centrally. One hundred games is an important milestone but there’s still plenty to come for Kyah Simon.
BRONZE MEDAL MATCH DETAILS
Matildas v United States
6:00pm AEST kick-off
Watch it LIVE via the Seven Network and 7plus app (check your local listings)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ffaonline.zoom.us/j/82637374257
