By ADEM SARICAOGLU
YOUNG Dylan Pierias was watching that infamous knockout round clash between Australia and Italy at the 2006 FIFA World Cup when soccer stole his heart.
The now 12-year-old Hillside soccer gun had previously been playing Aussie Rules, but was so inspired by the quality and excitement of arguably the biggest game in Socceroos history, he simply had to change codes.
“I saw the 2006 World Cup and I asked my dad if I could play soccer,” Pierias said.
“I was pretty happy because I’d never watched a soccer game before, and I thought that was really exciting.”
His choice has since paid off, with Pierias taking part in the Victorian school boys’ team that travelled to Darwin in September.
However more recently, he was named in the Victorian Champions League Boy’s All Star Squad, as part of the Western Wolves team.
“I felt very good because I didn’t expect it,” Pierias said of his selection.
“I was very proud of myself as well. During the VCL season I had a very good and very consistent tournament.”
Early last year, Pierias suffered a broken toe that threatened to exclude him from the Darwin tournament, but he recovered in time and has since never looked back.
Proud mum Suzy told Star the injury was a concern when it happened.
“He was really devastated, and he found it hard after that to find his confidence,” she said.
“But then he got into the state squad – which gave him great confidence and then that led him into the VCL.
“He went into that with great confidence because of making the school boys after his toe injury.”
Pierias says his dream is to go professional, preferably for Melbourne Victory, but for now his sights are set on making the Skilleroos squad, which will be picked in February.
