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Football :: Adam, Amjad and adnan called for Pak team
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AsianImage.co.uk Both Amjad Iqbal and Adam Karim are delighted after after being called up to the Pakistani national football squad.
For Amjad Iqbal the opportunity to play at International level was unmissable.
"I've become a little celebrity at my club because it's the first time they've had an international playing for them!"
Amjad was featured on these pages back in May after he captained his club into in the Blue Square Premier, England's unofficial fifth division. Since then the Bradford college Chemistry lecturer has continued to excell for his team. He thought it was a wind-up at first but when he started seeing his name and player profile on the footballpakistan.com website he realised it was genuine.
"It is tough sometimes trying to juggle a full-time job with a careeer in football. To go to Pakistan I've had to get three weeks off.
"I am looking forward to it and I think we've got a good chance. The Iraqi team are no push-overs but I think the group of established footballers we have might just cause an upset."
Although Amjad can play in almost any position and has done so for his club side he has yet to find out where he will be playing for Pakistan.
He has not been to Pakistan for 17 years so the whole experience will in many respects be new to him.
"The first thing I get asked is Will you be visiting the relatives?' Well, if I get the opportunity I'm sure we will. Just don't ask' Will you be getting married too?' he jokes.
Rochdale's Adam hopes for an upset.
Adam Karim at the age of 21 is the youngest of the trio to be picked to play for Pakistan.
He plays for Porthmadog in the Welsh Premier League and is looking forward to an opportunity of a lifetime.
"We have some good quality player in the side and I think we've got a good chance.
"I think by choosing players from across the world the PFA have shown they are looking to develop the team and are serious about football in the country."
"I know the Iraqis have shown they have a pretty decent squad but it should be interesting encounter."
As a teenager Adam of Rochdale was with Bury Football Club before moving on to play for Bangor, who are also in the Welsh Premier League. He has had to juggle a full-time job running one of the North West's busiest restaurants - Karim's "It is difficult at times to fulfill both committments but I love playing football. I have had to take time off work but my father has been accommodating."
Adam's manager at Porthmadog is none other former Manchester United star Clayton Blackmore.
"My club have been very supportive and the manager has said it is a great opportunity for me."
"I have not been told which position I will be playing in by the Pakistani management. Although I have played as a striker I prefer playing at centre-half."
Adnan Ahmed who signed for Tranmere Rovers this season said it would be an honour to play for the country.
"I didn't have to think twice in an World cup Qualifier. It will be good experience for myself and for some the lads who are stepping up quite a few levels."
Pakistan has not yet qualified for either the FIFA World Cup or Asian Cup championships and face a stiff test agianst a vastly improved Iraq. The second leg of the game will be played in Syria because of the ongoing ocupation of the country.
Adnan joins the likes of QPR's Zesh Rehman to be selected from the English top four divisions. Zesh made his debut in 2005 becoming the first Pakistani international footballer to play professional football in England.
"Obviously, my first choice would have been to play for England. I think that's the dream of every footballer born in this country.
"But, realistically, that was never going to happen,"
"My parents are from Pakistan though, so this is a great opportunity for me to play international football.
Adnan added, "For myself and for some of the new players it will be a totally different experience. All we can do is enjoy it and that is exactly what I'll be telling some of the other players.
"Tranmere have been very supportive of me.""Obviously, my first choice would have been to play for England. I think that's the dream of every footballer born in this country.
"But, realistically, that was never going to happen,"
"My parents are from Pakistan though, so this is a great opportunity for me to play international football.
Adnan added, "For myself and for some of the new players it will be a totally different experience. All we can do is enjoy it and that is exactly what I'll be telling some of the other players.
"Tranmere have been very supportive of me."
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