Aussie-based Matildas could have up to three months without a match before Olympics kick-off

Aussie-based Matildas stars could struggle to remain match-fit due to a three-month break leading up to the Olympics. Roar’s Tameka Yallop reveals how she plans to tackle the challenge.

With the A-League's regular season set to wrap up within three weeks Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop says she hasn’t ruled out heading overseas on a short-term loan in order to keep match fit ahead of the Olympics.

While most of the Aussie based Matildas’ players will be able to extend their domestic season by a few weeks due to playing finals super striker Michelle Heyman, who plays for Canberra United and possibly even Yallop could start their off-season as soon as the end of the month.

With the Olympics not until the end of July it means players would be without regular matches and training sessions for more than three months.

Players in teams who make the finals will be without games from May 5.

Yallop, 32, said she didn’t have any plans locked in yet as all her focus was on the next three games and hopefully finals.

“There is the possibility of going away for a short-term loan but we’ve also got national team camps in between there as well and in the past the national team set up has had transition camps for those that are out of season,” Yallop said.

Tameka Yallop may be forced overseas to maintain fitness. Picture: Getty Images

“The European seasons will be closing up in May as well so there are usually a lot of training options for us, the main thing is that we get set after our seasons.”

Football Australia were approached for comment about their plans for national team players in their off-season but said they were not able to provide a comment.

Yallop said they were typically well looked after outside of club season, especially when there was a major tournament approaching.

“We usually have base camps set up somewhere where we can get good training and be well looked after as well,” Yallop said.

Training camps are not the same as playing regular matches in a tough competition though.

Even this most recent Olympic Qualifier series against Uzbekistan coach Tony Gustavsson said some of his player selection decisions were dictated by how many minutes some players had played coming into the game. He had to juggle giving match minutes to players like Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler and Emily van Egmond who were not getting much game time in clubland (van Egmond due to it being her pre-season) with players such as Caitlin Foord who had played upwards of 1000 minutes during the season.

Yallop came off the bench in both of the Matildas’ most recent clashes against Uzbekistan. Picture: Getty Images

Yallop said it was a juggle every national team faced – especially with so many players opting to play in different leagues in different parts of the world.

It’s particularly difficult for the A-League's players though who are effectively on part-time contracts – most just for nine months. It means once the season is over they aren’t necessarily monitored by their domestic clubs.

They certainly aren’t paid to continue their training efforts in the off-season.

“A full season is always what you want as a footballer,” Yallop said.

“But at the same time there is always going to be an off-season and if you’re playing in different parts of the world those seasons are at different times.”

With FIFA windows and major tournaments locked in well in advance Yallop said it really came down to individual leagues working with FIFA to find the right balance.

“If we are in an off-season for a major tournament we can’t really blame the league or FIFA,” Yallop said.

“I think it’s more how can we work together on those to sort out schedule problems or issues.”

Yallop is foccused on qualifying for finals first. Picture: Getty Images

RUN TO FINALS

Brisbane Roar are sitting 10th on the ladder but are just four points outside the top six – and if results fall their way could very well make the finals.

A disappointing 2-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners, on the back of an upset win over league front runners Melbourne City, put a slight kink in their hopes.

But Yallop isn’t throwing in the towel just yet.

“It was disappointing for us, but it was down to our own performance, which is something that we can fix and that we definitely want to improve on going into the last three games,” Yallop said.

“So far the focus has been on recovery and then focusing more on our defensive set up and not letting teams play through us as easily, just a few defensive touch ups.

“We’ve been creating a lot of chances on goal and in the last game we didn’t capitalise on those, so that’ll be a focus as well.”

Brisbane play Adelaide on Saturday. Adelaide sit just below Roar on the ladder, with five less points.

“There’s definitely pressure on it,” Yallop said.

“As all Aussie sporting teams we like to be under pressure and seem to perform better under pressure.

“Everyone is looking forward to the game and is switched on for it.”

Yallop said the key to success was to keep their focus on themselves and what they can do well.

“If we focus on what we can actually do within the game to play good football, the rest should take care of itself,” she said.

Will Yallop be on the plane to Paris? Picture: Getty Images

THE OLYMPICS

While all of Yallop’s focus is on the Roar’s season, the Olympics aren’t far from her thoughts.

Just 18 players will get the call up to the squad. Yallop’s form and experience make her a likely inclusion. But the midfielder knows nothing is certain.

Her driving force is the want to win a medal with the team – especially after coming so close in Tokyo and at the World Cup.

“Individually, as an athlete the Olympics is the pinnacle, for the Matildas the Olympics is just as big as the World Cup,” Yallop said.

“I know as a whole team collective we want to be as competitive as we can be to get on the podium at the tournament and that comes down to every individual player having that desire, drive to make the team and from an individual’s perspective the Olympics are just like nothing else, so of course I want to be on that plane over.”

The Matildas will find out who they face next week, with the draw to be held on March 20 in Paris.

“When you go into an Olympics you know there’s already a limited number of teams which means you are going to be playing the top teams in your group stage,” Yallop said.

“It’s a given and everyone knows going into an Olympics that every game is going to feel like a knockout game because everyone is so competitive.”

Originally published as Aussie-based Matildas could have up to three months without a match before Olympics kick-off