'I'll never get a better opportunity to play international football'
Talented Reis set to play for Pakistan
Talented footballer Reis Ashraf has been called up for international duty for Pakistan.
He is due to leave to play a tournament for the full international Pakistani side in Qatar tomorrow and says he feels on top of the world at the news of his selection.
Reis, of Newport Pagnell, said: "I was in Spain at the Glenn Hoddle Academy in March when I got the call and I was really shocked.
"I called my dad and he helped me to weigh up my realistic options. I just thought I was too old to be playing for Wales, England or Italy and I will never get a better chance to test myself at international level."
Reis, 20, who started his career at Newport Pagnell FC at just five, qualifies to play for Pakistan as his dad Mazar was born there. And he admitted that it was his dad who inspired him and has always had a great influence on his career.
Reis added: "My dad and my brother Tyron have always supported me.
"I feel like this latest achievement is for them as much as it is for me. They were the ones who took me out every night to train and I owe them a lot. I know they were so proud of me when I called to tell them about the national team."
Despite his successes Reis has had his share of setbacks. While at Newport Pagnell he was snapped up by Coventry City FC when he was just 12 and continued to be prolific, regularly finishing as top goalscorer.
He then spent five months at Milton Keynes Dons where he enjoyed the same form in front of goal. However, for some reason he didn't get more of a chance at either.
He is now concentrating on playing for Leamington Spa and feels he is at a club that can offer the best opportunities to enable him to improve on some aspects of his game.
He said: "Playing regular adult football is helping me to develop as a footballer and improve my strength. I am enjoying my football now and that is the most important thing.
"Hopefully, this call-up will lead to bigger things in the future and I can show those who didn't sign me what they are missing."
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
