Stocky's Scribles: Quality Adjustment

Stocky's Scribbles have returned as Craig Stockdale takes us behind the scenes when one of Australia's most talented junior teams head to Dallas to take on the world's best. With reports on matches as well as what happens off the pitch, read all about what it's like to live the life of a junior elite player in their quest for glory in the United States of America.





With a day of shopping under their belts the girls have single headedly revived the US economy and raised the hopes for Obama to get back into power. What they have learnt is the savings that can be derived from a population of close to 300million - it is truly amazing how expensive Australia has become.

With their wallets now depleted, the girls switch on for their first practice match of the tournament. Enter the Dallas Sting 1998 team; a collection of athletic and quality 14 year old girls with lightning speed and deft passing skills. The Jets were slow to start and adjusting to the pace and speed will take time. Through the advent of sharp through balls the Sting capitalises up forward and carries a 2-0 lead into half time.

Brighton replenish fluid levels at half time as the temperature is quite humid and after a stern discussion from coach Dedic, the Jets come out fired up and through the boot of Mackaj are able to break back to open up the Aussies account for 2012.

There is no doubt the quality of play is far above anything we have seen in Australia at any U15 level. Immediately the speed and aggressive nature of the Sting are evident as they cut through the midfield and work the corridor to open up our defense. The standard is very high and something our girls will all benefit from over the duration of the tournament as they adapt to the physical nature in which the game is played.

Dallas Texas Soccer is now considered to be the most competitive female soccer played in the USA. The teams are assembled from the very best talent across the entire region (like our Victorian Champions League) and we are the only grassroots club team playing at this level in this tournament. One of our games is against Liverpool FC USA with the Tulsa Blitz and Dallas Rush 97 to follow over the next few days.

The second half ends with the Jets winning the second stanza 1-0 but being 'stung by the sting' for a 2-1 loss. The girls were very good with every player stepping up to the next level in the second half of the game. All in all, a real eye opener for the Jets and a game that has set the scene for the level of competition there is to come.

Read all of Stocky's Scribbles here.