Injury heartbreak for Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop before Asian Cup
Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop’s dreams of a fifth Women’s Asian Cup appearance are in tatters, with the midfielder requiring surgery on her second serious hamstring injury this year.
Yallop was in tears after she re-injured her right hamstring and pulled up abruptly when chasing down a ball just 40 minutes into Brisbane Roar’s 3-1 win over Adelaide United on Sunday.
She had scans late on Monday then met with a surgeon this week before the call was made to operate.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Surgery is expected to sideline Yallop until April’s A-League Women finals - effectively ruling her out of the Asian Cup.
It is a blow to Matildas coach Joe Montemurro, who considers the veteran to be one of few genuine line-breaking midfield options in his squad.
The 34-year-old was sidelined for six months after suffering a serious hamstring tear on the same leg in Brisbane’s final game of the previous season, in April, but had avoided surgery.
The popular, versatile and vastly experienced Yallop had been building minutes and momentum for Brisbane and returned for the Matildas in their recent friendlies against New Zealand.
Roar coach Alex Smith said the club was devastated for their captain.
“We are all shattered by the news of Tameka’s injury,” Smith said in a statement.
“As a group and wider club, we will rally around ‘Meeks’ and support her through this difficult time.
“I look forward to seeing her back on the field as soon as possible but, have full belief in the talent we have in the squad and our ability to continue to excel.”
As a teenager, Yallop was a member of the Matildas team that won the 2010 Asian Cup in China and had been desperate to repeat that feat in Australia.
“I would love to lift that trophy again, and to do it on home soil with people actually watching would just be a whole new level,” she told AAP in October.
Yallop was also a member of squads that reached the final in 2014 and 2018 and the team that lost in the quarter-finals in 2022.
Mary Fowler, who is yet to return from an ACL tear, is the only other Matildas regular under an injury cloud ahead of the tournament.
The Matildas kick off their campaign against the Philippines on March 1 in Perth.
