Hoping to secure a semi-final spot for the Matildas at the women’s World Cup, Aussie Kyah Simon aims to defeat Sweden in the upcoming quarter-final on Sunday.
Simon, a striker, played a pivotal role in Australia’s progression to the last eight, scoring both goals in a comeback victory against Norway, which ended in a 2-1 scoreline during their final Group D match in Leverkusen, sending the 1995 world champions packing.
Just a minute after Norway took the lead, the 20-year-old Sydney FC forward equalized and then secured the win with a header three minutes before the match ended.
“My big dream was to score a goal, and the second one was just a bonus,” she expressed.
“I truly hope we can continue to go far from here.”
Hailing from Blacktown, a suburb located to the west of Sydney, Simon cites Aborigine sprinter Cathy Freeman, who won gold in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as her childhood role model.
“My idol has always been Cathy Freeman. I admire her achievements as an athlete with indigenous heritage,” Simon remarked.
Demonstrating remarkable talent from a young age, Simon declared to her neighbors at just eight years old that she would one day play for Australia.
At the age of 16, she made her international debut for the senior Australia team, even before her first professional club appearance.
A year later, she netted her first goal with the Matildas and, by 18, she was part of the squad that claimed the Asian championship, subsequently gracing the cover of football magazine FourFourTwo.
By 19, she became the top-scorer in Australia’s W-league and earned the title of footballer of the year.
Now, she stands on the cusp of competing for a place in the World Cup semi-finals and is recognized as the first player of Aboriginal descent to score a World Cup goal for Australia, all before celebrating her 20th birthday.
Proud of her heritage, Simon has served as an ambassador at an indigenous football festival.
“It was truly wonderful to see so many Aboriginal kids playing soccer,” she said. “Being viewed as a role-model was a great experience for me.
“This has ignited a passion within me. There were countless children there brimming with natural talent.”
Buford Balony says: Let’s hope they get to play England again in the final because that would mean an easy victory for the Matildas, eh Goomba & Blackpool surfer.