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Controversial Matildas squad choice Kyah Simon had an damage setback after the Ladies’s World Cup began that lowered her position to that of potential penalty taker.
Simon was chosen as a part of the 23-player squad on July 3, regardless of not having performed since tearing her left anterior cruciate ligament for former membership Tottenham in October final 12 months.
The 32-year-old didn’t play a single minute in her third World Cup, as Australia reached the semi-finals for the primary time.
The striker’s absence solely compounded the lack of captain Sam Kerr for the opening three video games.
“The (penalty) shootout. I might have used her there,” coach Tony Gustavsson mentioned after the Matildas’ 2-0 loss to Sweden in Saturday’s third-place play-off.
“You noticed she was subsequent to me in that technical space for that France recreation (within the quarter-final) once I defined why I did not try this. However that is the one level I might have used her.
“Possibly I have to make that clear. That wasn’t the case once I chosen her. However she had some setbacks in her coaching throughout the World Cup so she wasn’t in a position to be a recreation changer.”
Gustavsson clarified Simon had setbacks earlier than and after the ultimate squad was locked in, 24 hours earlier than Australia’s opening recreation in opposition to Eire on July 20.
“She had a minor, smaller (setback). She was chosen being obtainable and within the final two weeks of coaching pre-camp she was phenomenal,” he mentioned.
“Performed an 11-aside and did a very good job then.
“After the choice, up in Gold Coast she had a minor setback – only a minor one, just a little knock, we knew it was not going to be an issue and in order that’s why I saved her.
“After which after the window closed, she had one other setback the place she was simply in a position to take a PK (penalty kick).”
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