The “pointy end” of Olympic preparation has arrived for the Matildas.
The Matildas will be looking to return to winning ways when they face off against a high flying Japan in their final warm-up match this Wednesday.
Speaking after the team’s first full training session in Japan, Tameka Yallop said things were feeling good.
“It’s good to finally be here, get used to the humidity and heat,” Yallop said.
“And just to be with the girls back from various clubs and stuff. So it’s good to be together as a group.”
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The midfielder said the transition from Sweden to Japan solidified how close it was to kicking off the nation’s Olympic campaign.
“[We’re] just working towards that first game.
“We do have a game against Japan, which is kind of a great game to have leading into the Games, so looking forward to that too.”
She said the team loved playing against Nadeshiko.
“I think we’re excited to get out and play against such a quality team and really to get sort of the cohesion back in the team with what we need going into our first game against New Zealand.”
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With the tournaments first game around the corner on July 21, Yallop said it was now getting real.
“It’s getting down to the details, and, you know, ironing out anything that we need to do and kind of solidifying everything that we’ve been doing over the past, sort of five weeks.
“It’s come down to the details now and at the pointy end.”
The Australian squad of 22 players will spend the next week in Nara before departing for Tokyo on July 17.
The Matildas will face off against Japan for their final Olympic warm-up on July 14.
The pair have had contrasting fortunes in recent months. The Matildas have secured one draw and three losses, compared to Japan’s last four matches that resulted in four wins and a total of 27 goals.
Kick-off is 8.20pm AEST.
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