LUIS SETS HIS SIGHTS HIGH!
LUIS Shamshoum has set his sights on earning his first Palestine international cap after helping Great Wakering Rovers seal their place at Wembley.
The 21-year-old earned his spot in club folklore after his penalty shootout heroics helped Rovers past Worcester City and into next month’s Isuzu FA Vase final.
Wakering will go head-to-head with Essex Senior League rivals Romford at Wembley on May 11, and Shamshoum hopes that making an appearance at the home of football will help him catch the attention of his national side, for whom he has appeared at youth level.
“I’m still waiting for my first cap after being called up by Palestine three times,” the former Billericay Town and Hashtag United keeper told The NLP.
“But I’m hoping that competing at a Wembley final will catch their eye when it comes to selecting the next squad.
“I’m eligible to play for them through my grandad, who was born in Nazareth, and it would be a special achievement for me to be involved on the international stage while at Wakering.
“I will always back myself when it comes to penalties. I saved two when we beat St Neots Town earlier in the competition, and I had a feeling that I was going to be the hero when the semi-final went to spot-kicks.
Misery
“I stuck to my gut for the final penalty and it paid off. I fell to my knees and started crying after I made the save. It would be fantastic if moments like that could lead to me getting my first cap.”
Having joined Wakering from Hashtag last summer, Shamshoum has been watching footage of previous FA Vase finals as he steps up his preparations for walking out under the famous Wembley arch.
The talented stopper is set to take on Romford, where he made three appearances during a brief loan spell, and he is desperate to come out on top despite knowing it would inflict misery on some familiar faces.
Volumes
“I was at Romford for a small amount of time, but the fact that I will be coming up against a former club at Wembley makes it even more special,” the ex-Southend United youngster added.
“Both clubs are in the Essex Senior League, which speaks volumes for how competitive the division is, and I have been watching all of the past FA Vase finals on YouTube to try to get a feel for what it will be like on the day.
“I know it is going to be special and, after getting to the final, I want to lift the trophy. Having achieved the dream of booking a place in a Wembley final, winning the FA Vase is the next dream.”