Heyman hails tight Matilda bonds

Jun 22, 2015 - 7:04 PM They're the Matildas double act that aren't likely to play together in Canada.

Michelle Heyman and Kyah Simon have shared a match-day ritual in each of Australia's Women's World Cup games; high-fiving as they swap places on the pitch.

The pair share the striker's position at the apex of the Matildas forward line, meaning only one is on the field at any one time.

It was Heyman's turn to start on Monday morning (AEST), before making way for Simon to fire Australia into the quarter-finals.

Simon has taken the glory so far - her late winner against Brazil was preceded by a double to beat Nigeria in the group stages - but Heyman is delighted all the same.

"I don't mind how it gets in the back of the net or who scores it as long as we're all working 100 per cent," she told AAP.

"We're good friends, we're fighting for positions but we're in it together."

In fact, Heyman went so far as to endorse her own substitution.

"In extra time, Kyah is the one to be on the field because she's so confident when she takes penalties as well."

To Heyman, maintaining that balance between friendship and competitiveness is what is driving the Matildas forward in Canada.

"It's one thing that we lacked before. We never had that fight for each other and now that we do it's unbelievable and working."

The 26-year-old credits coach Alen Stajcic with bringing hunger and belief to the squad.

"He's been in the system a long time, he's seen everyone grow up," she said.

"He knows our strengths, our weaknesses, he knows us better than we know ourselves sometimes, it's a bit scary.

"It reflects in our preparation, it's the first time that we've trained as a team for so many months and look what's happened."

The squad was granted family time after their stirring 1-0 triumph over Brazil, but without any relatives in Canada, Heyman has adopted the family of Katrina Gorry.

The pair are roommates on tour and have formed a friendship that shows the tight bonds that are holding the Matildas together.

"We hardly ever spoke before we made the squad (two years ago), they put us together and ever since then we've been best mates," she said.

"It's nice to have that connection with someone in the team, it makes the time and everything you do worth it when you've got a best mate on board."

Source: AAP