Speaking from a boisterous dressing room, the 18-year-old Sydney FC star says the sky's the limit for this new-look Aussie side that stunned Asia by winning their first Asian Cup 5-4 on penalties after being locked 1-1 at the end of extra time against DPR Korea.

"We can go as far as our abilities can take us," Simon told au.fourfourtwo.com. "And that means winning the gold medal [at the World Cup].

"If we put our hearts into it and work as a team like we have in this tournament, I'm sure nothing can hold us back at the World Cup."

Simon was adamant  this remodelled Matildas side could go all the way in Germany in June and July 2011.

"Definitely," she said. "We mix it with the best in the world in these tournaments and to go there and beat teams like Germany, US, Sweden, Denmark and Canada is really in our reach.

"Anything's possible."

The Aussie girls had nerves of steel in the penalty shootout with all players hitting the back of the net before Simon coolly converted the winner at 5-4 to spark wild celebrations on the pitch.

"I just had to be as confident as I could because I kinda wanted to hide the nerves and just strike it well," she said.

"Then for all the girls, we just ran and jumped on top of each other. It was a great feeling and after all that hard work  and a long game."

 Kylie Ledbrook, Sally Shipard, Kate Gill and Heather Garriock all scored before Simon confirmed the Asian Cup in thrilling circumstances.

Simon described the conditions in a monsoonal Chengdu as one of the most difficult of her career but was elated to have won the Asian Cup just six months after hoisting the W-League with the sky blues.  

"It was a bit scrappy at times but both teams worked hard and we put in a gutsy performance," said Simon. "It's a real credit to our team."

Matildas coach Tom Sermanni told au.fourfourtwo.com that the team has yet to reach its potential with more than 12 months to go until the World Cup in Germany.

"My concern before the tournament was we lacked games in the lead up and were a little short on experience," he admitted.

"But I'm exceptionally proud. They did everything I asked of them. And when the chips were down, they kept backing up. I feel terrific for them because they actually deserved to win it in the end.

"The players were unbelievable particularly as in the final we were without Sarah Walsh and Lisa de Vanna."

Rising star 16-year-old Sam Kerr's composed strike had put Australia ahead just 20  minutes into the game but that was cancelled out by a DPR header with 15 minutes left in normal time.

And after Claire Polkinghorne missed an absolute sitter just 60 seconds later the game went to extra time.

In driving rain and in atrocious conditions, North Korea hit the post in the first minute and Aussie keeper Melissa Barbieri's clearance in the  second half almost ricocheted into the Matildas' goal.

But an exhausted Australia held on for the shootout decider.

The Matildas were well served by midfield organizers Collette McCallum and Sally Shipard while defenders Claire Polkinghorne and Servet Uzunlar were outstanding in a gruelling final played in mostly driving rain.

The Australians are set to return to a heroines' welcome at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning.