After beating cancer, Melbourne City's Rebekah Stott has returned to professional soccer - in style.
The New Zealand international pulled the strings in midfield during the Citizens' 1-0 victory against Canberra United at Viking Park on Friday, creating glorious chances for her side's glittering forward unit.
The 28-year-old played 60 minutes before being substituted as she continues to build fitness, and said it was an emotional moment to return to the field after beating Hodgkin's lymphoma and being sidelined for almost a year.
"It's a huge moment for me personally, and I was just so happy to be back on the field and be healthy again," she said.
"It's been a really hard journey for me to get where I am now.
"I'm finally at a point where I can play a decent amount of time ... I'm just looking to build on that and really take care of my body."
While not on the field for Holly McNamara's 80th-minute winner, Stott said that celebrating the win with her teammates was as sweet as it gets.
"We were chanting in (the changerooms) ... it's so cool to be back in a team environment and feel that camaraderie," she said.
"The first half was a bit hard .. there were just a lot of nerves around the field and the second half was so different.
"It's always so hard to come to Canberra and get a win...we're so happy."
Stott was playing with Women's Super League side Brighton and Hove Albion when she was diagnosed.
Such is the progress of the 71-cap New Zealand international post-cancer, Stott said she'd tried to get herself picked for her country's November friendlies against Korea Republic.
But having conquered a deadly disease and returned to the top of her field, Stott acknowledged her story was a huge moment for everybody battling cancer.
"I think it's huge - to have someone go through (cancer) and be able to get back to the profession and do it successfully," she said.
"I think it'll be a huge inspiration. A lot of people can see that and think 'yeah, I'm gonna beat it and then get back on the field or get back to doing what I love'."
Australian Associated Press
