AFGHAN WARRIOR
Husin hoping to bring joy to war-torn nation
THE Afghanistan branch of the Notts County Supporters’ Club is praying for an FA Cup shock today.
Kevin Nolan’s League Two side are hoping to send Premier League strugglers Swansea tumbling out. And no one would love to upset the odds more than midfielder Noor Husin, whose family fled war-torn Afghanistan when he was five. The 20-year-old has a string of relatives and friends back home who will be willing the home side on to glory. The nightmare upheaval of 2003 is a distant memory now as Husin considers the enormity of dad Ashaq’s decision to flee his homeland and settle in London. Husin said: “We lived in the north of the country which was fine but obviously the situation wasn’t great there so I think a lot of people were trying to get out to feel safe. “It must have been a very big step for them to take. They thought it was best for us to be out of the situation. “I’m sure it was difficult for my parents. I was about five when I moved here – I can’t remember much about it.” Husin has been back a number of times and knows family and friends will watch the match on TV. He added: “They are very proud of what I’m doing and I’m just trying to improve to keep that up. Football is very popular in Afghanistan. “The FA Cup is great and to test ourselves against a Premier League side is fantastic. “We’ve already beaten Brentford, who are a good Championship side, so there’s no reason why we can’t beat ® Swansea.” Husin’s footballing journey has not been straightforward.
“I had trials at Chelsea and Liverpool but ended up signing for Reading from the age of 11 to 18,” he said.
“Last season I was on the bench for Palace under Alan Pardew then unfortunately he got the sack and I went on loan to Accrington.
“Funnily enough, I scored on my League debut against Notts County playing for Accrington last season. The gaffer obviously kept an eye out for me and then I got a phone call.”
Husin believes the Magpies have a real chance of sending Swansea packing.
“They will be on a high after beating Liverpool in the league but we’ve got to go in there confident as well,” he said.
Patchy
“We’re disappointing to lose our last two home games because we’ve been having such a good season. We know we’ve not been ourselves, but we’re confident we can get through this patchy spell.”
If they do, Husin will hope for his dream draw, adding: “Being brought up in London, I actually grew up supporting Chelsea so hopefully if we could get through and draw them that would be my wish.”
But before thinking about Monday’s fifth-round draw they have to overcome a side whose manager has enjoyed his own fairy-tale cup run.
Swansea chief Carlos Carvalhal said: “When I was coach of Lexioes we were in the third division and lost 1-0 in the final of the Portuguese Cup to Sporting Lisbon in 2002.
“Given the tradition of the cup these games against lower league sides can be very hard.
“The FA Cup is not our main priority because to stay in the Premier League is our goal. But the way Notts County play means they will cause us problems.”