Unite Round: Matilda and Brisbane Roar veteran Tameka Yallop set for A-League milestone
Ahead of a milestone match for Tameka Yallop during Unite Round, the Matilda veteran is confident she is part of something special at the Brisbane Roar which could give her a long-awaited shot at title glory.
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It has been 10 years since Tameka Yallop played in a grand final but with the Brisbane Roar off to a flying start the club captain is confident the team has all the ingredients needed to be at the big dance by the end of the season.
Yallop, 33, was part of the very first Brisbane Roar side and in the early days the Roar were among the best in the league.
They took the top honour in the 2008, finished second in 2010, 2011 and won again in 2012.
Their last grand final appearance was back in 2014.
Last season they finished ninth with just seven wins from 22 games.
Three rounds in and Roar sit equal third with Adelaide United.
Yallop will play her 153rd match for Roar on Friday night – setting a new club record for the most appearances.
Matildas teammate Clare Polkinghorne held the previous record of 152.
The midfielder isn’t putting too much thought into the record though – instead focusing on the upcoming game.
“I’m pretty stoked to have been there from the start to where it is now,” Yallop said.
Yallop will go into the game full of confidence after scoring a brace in a convincing 3-0 win over Perth Glory last weekend. The game before they bested the reigning champions, Sydney FC, 1-0.
While Yallop is in fine form the captain said their success was a credit to the whole team.
“We have worked really hard in gelling as a team and finding what sort of football works best with us with the players that we have,” Yallop said.
“We are still building, it is early days and I think our best football is yet to come.”
One of the players Roar’s new system has unlocked is midfielder Alicia Woods.
The 20-year-old, who has played for the Young Matildas, is firing alongside Yallop.
“She’s taken her spot in the midfield and is gelling with a lot of other players as well,” Yallop said.
“I think that’s what’s been the key for us so far at the start of the season, is gelling together as a team and learning each other’s best attributes.”
Roar are set to play New South Wales rivals Western Sydney Wanderers on the opening night of Unite Round.
Wanderers, who narrowly missed finals last season, are yet to register a win.
Yallop knows better than to count them out though.
“Wanderers are a team that are always up for a challenge and are always very physical,” Yallop said.
“I think it will be a tough game, whether they are playing their best football or not, it’s always a game that you have to get up to play for.”
The other Friday night Unite Round clash will pit Adelaide United against Wellington Phoenix.
Like Roar – Adelaide have found a new level this season.
Adelaide United’s Emily Condon has been leading the charge.
“It’s been a challenge for me, even when I was on the field I wasn’t at 100 per cent,” Condon said.
“At the moment we are managing it. I’m working with a strength and conditioning coach, but the pain is nothing compared to what it was when it was really bad.
“I feel so much more free out on the field. Previously I was so restricted and sore and it was painful and now I’m able to move around and just focus on playing football.”
It shows – Condon has scored two goals in the side’s first three matches.
Unite Round, which sees a full A-League’s men’s and women’s round played in two venues in Sydney, kicks off on Friday night.
Adelaide United play Wellington Phoenix at 5.30pm and Brisbane Roar take on Western Sydney Wanderers at 8.15pm.
Friday, November 22
Adelaide United vs. Wellington Phoenix
Kick off: 5.30pm
After finishing bottom of the table last season Adelaide United are proving to be a team to beat this year. The addition of Fiona Worts to the Adelaide outfit has proved a smart move – the striker scoring four goals in her first three matches. Wellington are yet to get any points on the board and will be desperate to get their first win – it should make for an exciting opening Unite Round clash.
Western Sydney vs. Brisbane Roar
Kick off: 8.15pm
Regardless of the result this game is all about Tameka Yallop. The Brisbane Roar captain is expected to surpass Clare Polkinghorne’s appearances record for the club this weekend – with the match her 153rd in the orange strip. Roar are on a roll this season while Wanderers have struggled to deliver a consistent performance.
Saturday, November 23
Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne Victory
Kick: 2.15pm
Since Central Coast rejoined the competition last season the battles between these two clubs have been fiercely close. Mariners have recorded the only win with the other two games ending in a draw. Both sides are in good form and another close match is on the cards.
Newcastle Jets vs. Western United
Kick off: 5pm
The Jets are a bit of a bogey team for United – winning the four of five meetings. Chloe Logarzo is expected to be back for Western United – missing last week to get married. While code hopper Sheridan Gallagher is proving a key play maker for the Jets. It should be a close match.
Sunday, November 24
Canberra United vs. Perth Glory
Kick off 1.30pm
After a slip up last weekend Canberra United will be desperate to hold onto a spot in the middle of the competition table with another win. Perth are struggling with consistency this season but are sure to put up a fight against Canberra.
Sydney FC vs. Melbourne City
Kick off 4.15pm
The rematch of last season’s grand final in which Sydney FC took the bragging rights. But Melbourne City come into this match in much better form – having yet to lose a game. The Sky Blues will be full of confidence are finally getting a win last weekend. City’s Lourdes Bosch will be one to watch and Sydney’s Hana Lowry.
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