Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com after the Aussie girls’ 3-2 comeback victory over Mexico in a World Cup warm-up game in  Gottingen, Simon conceded defensive errors were to blame for the 2-0 deficit.

But she said the team’s never-say-die spirit is growing stronger by the day after the green and gold replied with three goals to defeat the CONCACAF nation in a five-goal thriller.

“A few of our mistakes put us in that predicament in the first place. I actually think we were playing better football than them,” said Simon, who turns 20 next week.

"Mistakes cost us. So we really had to kick into gear to get the game back.

"We’re getting a mentality in our team that no matter what the score is we can keep fighting till the 90th minute and into extra time if need be.

“All credit to the girls and myself for getting back into the game."

Lauren Colthorpe and Sally Shipard leveled the score going into the break after the Mexicans hit twice in a three minute first half burst.

But just after the hour mark Simon, the W-League golden boot and player of the year, was alive to the possibilities after a corner was cleared.

As the Mexican defence pushed out skilful Aussie midfielder Collette McCallum chipped in a ball for the Sydney FC forward whose header crashed against the post before she followed up to guide it home for the third and winning goal. 

The Australians now play England in their final warm-up match on 23 June in Wolfsburg before moving to Dusseldorf for the beginning of the 2011 Women’s World Cup.

Mexico proved a valuable opponent as the Aussie girls face the might of Brazil in their opening group game on June 29.

“It was a good test for us," said Simon. "They do play similar in some aspects. They [Mexico] did man mark and my understanding is that is what Brazil is going to do. And they have that in-your-face defending.

The Matildas didn’t play England at last year’s Peace Cup in Asia but the team watched some of the Three Lions games so they have an idea of what to expect.

And the Aussies are starting to get a sense of the excitement building in Germany ahead of the World Cup. Simon says the team arrived at their hotel late last week to be greeted by fans and a local school band.

“Training’s been good; nice and sharp,” she added. “These friendlies are good for our preparation and hopefully we’ll be at our peak for the England game then go into the Brazil game to really give it our all.”

With ticket sales strong in Germany, for many of this young Matildas squad crowds of 20,000-30,000 will be the biggest of their careers.

“I don’t think I’ve played in a stadium with that many people. It’s exciting but I won’t believe it till I see it. I guess I’ll have to stand back and take it all in.

“The adrenaline  and that crowd roaring… but you’re out there to do a job so I’ll try block that out as much as I can. I’ll take it in my stride and get the crowd to push me through.

“The adrenaline will be pumping… that’ll take over.”

The Matildas begin their campaign with a opening match against world number 3 Brazil on June 29 (June 30, 2.15am AEST SBS ONE), before playing Equatorial Guinea on July 3 (10pm AEST SBS TWO) and Norway on July 6 (July 7, 2am AEST SBS ONE).

And to read more about the Matildas' World Cup dreams, check out this month's FourFourTwo magazine with the green and gold girls on the cover.