AFGHANISTAN may have played just one competitive game in their own country since 1977, but Walsall’s Maz Kouhyar still dreams of leading the Lions of Khurasan out on their own turf.
The 20-year-old midfielder was forced to flee the country with his mother, Latisa, and father, Karin, when he was just two years old, settling in the Midlands.
Kouhyar has been at Walsall since 2013 and three years later received his first call-up for Afghanistan, drafted into the squad for a friendly against Malaysia.
He said: “I think the selectors must have seen I was playing in the Football League and at a good level, so they gave me a call and emailed me inquiring if I wanted to represent the country.
“It was something I didn’t expect at all and I was just so happy. I couldn’t believe it.
“My father was very happy because he loves football. He tells all his friends and family back home. My mum is a bit more worried because I go away to play for a few weeks in different countries, but she’s still proud as well.”
Esta historia es de la edición March 11, 2018 de The Football League Paper.
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Esta historia es de la edición March 11, 2018 de The Football League Paper.
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