I think that the school boys vs the national team is an odd comparisson. And it doesn’t ‘stick’. The Dutch female squad did a practice game against an amateur team (17-18 y/o boys) and the girls won. 2-1.

But, l et’s take the field hockey national squad. I don’t know how England performs, but the Dutch national team easily fills a stadium here. (And during London 2012. I was there). And no-one would consider a hockey game between school boys and the female national squad.

It has to do with training an technique. We watched Team USA soccer in the south of Florida during training a few years back. My oldest: “I won’t say again that girls can’t play!” He was impressed.

Back to the national squad vs school boys: when soccer follows the path of field hockey, things will go up and up.