'The wheels fell off because after the World Cup we were told to have a couple of weeks off, and I think players may have taken that a bit too literally,'' Barbieri said recently.

'They [the Matildas] went off on their merry way to different parts of the globe having a real holiday. And I think that bit us in the butt. Everyone looked under the weather, not sharp.

''Even though they won the World Cup, Japan would have been straight back in training. It usually works for us to have a couple of weeks off because it refreshes us but I dare say we came back worse for wear.”

It’s a view others in the national team have privately expressed to au.fourfourtwo.com as simmering tensions remain over the Matildas Olympics 2012 qualifying exit and the perceived lack of serious physical preparation.

Barbieri also slammed the team’s mentality.

''It hurts me more that the girls weren't really upset about not making it," she said. “I've been to an Olympics in Athens, and knowing that I could have gone to another two does hurt me a little.”

Now Matildas striker Kyah Simon has hit back and argued different players had differing ways of preparing for back-to-back tournaments.

“What player wouldn't want to go to an Olympics and just throw it away like that?” she told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“I guess players take recovery at different stages and they treat it differently … each to their own - everyone has their own comments of why we didn't qualify but I think it's a bit of everything.

“Obviously we didn't perform to our ability and I guess falling short at the World Cup when we thought we should've gone further might have taken an effect.

“The Olympics is something that I really wanted - and still want - to go to. Hopefully next time round we can put our football together and get there.

“Players can, I guess, treat their bodies in different ways, whether it be after a massive tournament they need a couple of weeks off to rejuvenate and replenish their bodies and their minds because it's so mentally draining.

“I don't think it's a matter of a lack of effort from players.

“But coming off a massive tournament, we had a massive high at the World Cup, we almost had a feeling of fulfilment knowing that we possibly could have gone further and then trying to back that up with an Olympic qualifier.”

Simon gave a diplomatic response on whether the comments by Barbieri had caused dissent amongst Matildas.

"I've barely spoken to any of the girls and I guess it was just a comment that none of us expected," she said. "I haven't spoken to anyone.

“'Bubs has her point of view and none of us are either going to go against or disagree or agree. I guess we've just left it at that and she said how she felt and that's pretty much it."

The Matildas were handed an arduous task to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.

Five games over 11 days in China against the best of Asia’s opposition including the newly crowned world champions Japan and ever-dangerous DPR Korea as well as the host nation was always going to be difficult.

Australia finished third in qualifying behind world champions Japan and DPR Korea, who they lost to in the opening game, effectively cruelling their chances of qualifying.

Missing the Olympics is a massive blow for the booming women’s game – perhaps more so than it is for their male counterparts.

The Matildas desperately need top-class games to maintain the team’s development as well as public profile.

Unlike the Socceroos, the Matildas generate much less revenue, meaning games in major tournaments like the Olympics are vital.

Missing the Olympic means fewer games and less opportunity for the new guard of players to develop, not to mention a final chance for some of the experienced Matildas to play in such a prestigious tournament.

However it’s a sign of the times that comments from a Matildas captain make national headlines.

Looking ahead, the Matildas have a camp next month in Australia but with few if any games planned this year, a number of players are looking to ply their trade overseas.

Simon is no different, although her recent planned move to WPS club Boston fell through after the US league went under.

Simon, who spoke as a brand ambassador for MR Soccer academy, added that in such a period of inactivity, it's a good opportunity for players to head overseas and experience other leagues.

Sally Shipard is one Matilda who is now in Europe, playing for German club Bayer Leverkusen.

For Simon, there may be options in the US collegiate system, which is set to fill the vacuum left by the WPS. Sweden is another option.

“The next few goals would be to establish myself and inject myself into an overseas league and then focus on the Matildas when we've got those commitments but obviously the W-League at the end of this year,” she said.

And still on the W-League, April’s Matildas camp is likely to feature players from Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar.

Given the two sides’ recent explosive W-League semi final where the Sky Blues lost in controversial circumstances after claims of bad sportsmanship were levelled against Roar, Simon said it might add some spice to the camp.

She added: "The first meeting when we all come back together I'm sure will be a bit of banter here and there.

“But at the end of the day we're there for the Matildas.”

Follow me on Twitter @aidothejourno