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
