Defender Easah Suliman has opened up about the factors which convinced him to represent the Pakistan national team.
The former England U20 centre-back Suliman was eligible to play for Pakistan after FIFA approved the request from Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to change his national eligibility from England last month.
He is currently part of the Pakistan squad which is participating in the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, India.
“I tried to understand their [Pakistan Football Federation] intentions and checked whether they are doing things properly now. I needed to be sure because if I was to come here, things would need to be done properly. But once I had made my decision, I was happy to come and give my whole,” Suliman told Sportstar.
“My grandparents were born in Mirpur. So, of course, I am proud of my heritage and my origin,” he added.
Pakistan have been knocked out of the SAFF Championship after suffering defeats in their first two matches. They lost to India and Kuwait by the same scoreline of 4-0.
“It is the first time all of us have been together. Even if you bring 11 very good players together, you still need time to be organised as a team,” he said,
“With India, you can tell the team has been playing with each other for a while. They have a structure, organisation and a way of playing. I felt that on the pitch.”
The 25-year-old currently plays for UD Vilafranquense, which is in the second tier of the Portuguese football league system, while being on loan from Vitoria Guimaraes SC.
Suliman also won the European U19 Championship with the England football team in 2017.
“England is on a different level when it comes to all other countries. It goes back to grassroots; it goes back to youth football; it goes back to education when you were young. I feel privileged that I had that upbringing in England,” he said.
“Over there, you have the best coaches and the best opportunities. It is a big reason why I am playing professionally, and I am where I am.”