After a 3-1 loss to USA in their group opener, the ‘Matildas’ delivered a badly needed win with Simon scoring in each half. PHOTO: AFP
The 23-year-old Sydney FC striker, recalled to Stajcic’s side, found the net after 29 and 68 minutes at Winnipeg Stadium to give the Matildas their first win of the competition after their 3-1 opening loss to the USA.
“I’ve known Kyah since she was 14 or 15. She had a broken leg and she was out for nine months,” said Stajcic. “She could barely jog and run when she came back. I think she was good today, I think she can be even better. I think she’s potentially a world class player.”
Simon had been a year on the sidelines with a knee injury which required reconstruction and had put her World Cup hopes in doubt.
Holders Japan advance, USA held
Defending champions Japan became the first team to advance to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Friday as USA’s progress was stalled by a goalless draw with Sweden.
Aya Sameshima and Yuika Sugasawa sealed Japan’s 2-1 win over Group C rivals Cameroon in Vancouver, seeing the Nadeshiko through to the knockout stage with a game to spare.
Japan have six points from two games, having also beaten Switzerland 1-0, with the Swiss on three after whipping Ecuador 10-1 on Friday.
Cameroon, who beat Ecuador 6-0 on Monday, are also on three points while the winless South Americans are the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup.
USA, one of the tournament favourites, were held to a 0-0 draw by a Swedish side led by the Americans’ former coach Pia Sundhage.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2015.
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