Two star Matildas are taking a mental break from four upcoming friendlies and it has the tick from teammates

The Matildas will play four games in 10 days in two states and one veteran says it’s no surprise one of her star teammates is one of three key withdrawals.

Mary Fowler is one of three Matildas to withdraw from home friendlies. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop is adamant a raft of star withdrawals for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Chinese Taipei is no excuse to drop the “standards” the national team sets, adamant players “do need rest and time to recoup”.

Yallop is one of a host of A-Leagues players set to fill key roles after notable withdrawals of Mary Fowler and Cortnee Vine, both citing a need for a mental break, as well as injured stars Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler for the opening clash in Brisbane on Thursday night.

The match is the first of four in 10 days across Queensland and then Victoria, coming off away clashes against Germany and Switzerland in Europe last month.

Fowler, who plays for Manchester City in the UK, said an “increasingly demanding schedule” had taken its toll after she opted out of all four home matches.

In preparing for withdrawals, interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni picked a massive squad of 36 players, including a host of those playing in Australia, with that number down to 33. There won’t be any replacements named for Fowler, Gorry and Wheeler.

But with the matches part of preparation for the 2026 Asian Cup, the next big home assignment for the Matildas, Yallop said the message was clear to everyone involved in the squad.

“We’ve got two very different teams (opponents), and that’s great for us looking at our depth and how we go against Asian teams leading into the Asian Cup for 2026,” she said.

“We always want to go out and play our best football. For us, it is about going out and playing Matildas-style football.

Touchdown in Brissy 🛬👋

🇦🇺v🇧🇷 28.11.24 & 01.12.24
🇦🇺v TPE 04.12.24 & 07.12.24
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“Tommy’s obviously been in before, and a lot of the girls know him, so that’s helped. But for us as players, we like to keep a certain standard.

“Whether we get a new coach tomorrow or the day after, I think we’ll uphold the standards that we’ve always placed on each other.”

Yallop said the withdrawal of Fowler and Vine from the squad showed the new “demand” on players because of the sport’s dynamic growth for women.

“It’s almost a luxury to see where the game is at right now and how much the sport is growing,” she said.

“That’s a real positive thing, but it does bring a lot of demand as well, and you see it in men’s football too.

“It’s something to be aware of and take care of each other and to know when to take time for yourself as well.

“We’re getting more and more games and more and more visibility, so players do need rest and time to recoup as well.”

Tameka Yallop says there are more demands on players. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Yallop has been long been a utility for the Matildas, able to slot in as required, but has been in superb form for the Brisbane Roar playing in an attacking midfield No.10 role and could take up that position against Brazil.

“Ten is an enjoyable position,” she began.

“(But) I do quite like being a utility player. I do enjoy playing different positions on the field.

“Whether it’s club or national team, I enjoy being able to have some creativity in the final third – but at the same time, the result is what I’m chasing, so if that means a different role for me on the field, then I’ll happily play that.

“I’m enjoying the football at Brisbane Roar and the team’s doing really well. Hopefully, I can continue that in camp now.”

MATILDAS | NOV / DEC 2024 INTERNATIONALS

Matildas v Brazil

Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024

Kick-off: 8pm local / 9pm AEDT

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Matildas v Brazil

Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024

Kick-off: 6.35pm local / 7.35pm AEDT

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Matildas v Chinese Taipei

Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Kick-off: 8pm AEDT

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Matildas v Chinese Taipei

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024

Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT

Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Originally published as Two star Matildas are taking a mental break from four upcoming friendlies and it has the tick from teammates