On Wednesday, England were knocked out of the World Cup. A rare mix of pride and despair reverberated about the country in the days that followed.
Now the dust has settled, the overarching sentiment in fans is one of thanks to manager Gareth Southgate. He not only exceeding expectations, but solidified a new style of football and a new positive mentality in his young squad.
It’s an England side that has helped to unify a divided country during the course of the competition. The team didn’t quite make the final – but, in the words of its stars: “We go again”.
That is not only the message of the players, but of supporters. The togetherness is perhaps no more evident than in Ahmad Al-Rashid and his two daughters, two and four, whom he asked to remain unnamed.
Two new England fans
Yes England lost this match but they already won the hearts and minds of my little angles who came to the England 2 years ago from #Syria and made England their new HOME. They kept shouting #ComeOnEnglnd even after the game was over. Thank you #England #threelions #WorldCup18 pic.twitter.com/46aGnnMWhK
— Ahmad Al-Rashid (@jackahmed12) July 11, 2018
Mr Al-Rashid, at the time not long out of university, was was forced to leave Syria in 2013. He first moved to Iraq, but arrived in the UK seeking asylum in 2015. His wife, a teacher, followed. Mr Al-Rashid earned a place on a masters scholarship at SOAS, University of London. He graduated last year.
Now, Mr Al-Rashid works for an aid charity in London and he and his wife – who he also asked to keep anonymous – have two daughters who are “growing up English”. And they “really, really love the England team”, their dad explained.
“My daughters cheered every goal”, Mr Al-Rashid told i. “They were so excited – so happy. It was amazing to see. I loved every moment.
“My youngest, I’m not sure she understands fully – she celebrates all the goals. But she knows England are the team. My eldest was so nervous watching. She is a passionate fan.”
While these emotions are common, Mr Al-Rashid posted a tweet following the match that moved many on social media.
It is indeed
the past a few weeks have been mental
— Ahmad Al-Rashid (@jackahmed12) July 11, 2018
Thank you very much for the warm welcome:)
— Ahmad Al-Rashid (@jackahmed12) July 11, 2018
“Yes England lost this match but they already won the hearts and minds of my little angels, who came to the England two years ago from #Syria and made England their new HOME,” the doting father wrote.
“They kept shouting #ComeOnEnglnd even after the game was over. Thank you #England #threelions #WorldCup18”
The message from Mr Al-Rashid is one echoed by England defender Kyle Walker. Much of the team has been vocal on social media during the World Cup, Walker in particular.
Passion for the beautiful game
We might live in a time where sometimes it’s easier to be negative than positive, or to divide than to unite, but England: let’s keep this unity alive. I love you.
— Kyle Walker (@kylewalker2) July 12, 2018
There have been problems too of course. People jumping on ambulances and spates of violence.
But Mr Al-Rashid is simply pleased his daughters have found such joy in football. Just as he has done throughout his life (he wrote about football in Syria and moving to the UK in a blog post for the FA).
“I came over a refugee and of course it was hard,” he told i. “Leaving war and home wasn’t easy. Then having to move from another country was also difficult. There’s been a lot of uncertainty and worry.
“But I feel we [he and his family] have been welcomed here and we now feel it is home. England, the UK is our home.
“My daughters have really connected with football and especially this new national team. Whenever I come in from work, we greet each other with ‘It’s Coming Home’. It’s special.
“I think now even I would support England over anyone. Even Syria. I love Syria and I want the team to do well, but I feel real passion for England now.”
Mr Al-Rashid said his daughters both enjoy playing football at nursery. His eldest is soon to start school.
He said both have settled in London – and he’s trying to steer them towards choosing a club team now in readiness for the coming Premier League season.
“I think they will go for Arsenal,” he said. “Though I like Manchester United. In Syria, we always followed the English teams.”
Read more on the World Cup:
Gareth Southgate has a lot to answer for this World Cup – all of it good
How World Cup goodwill can be prolonged despite agony of England’s exit
World Cup 2018 has excited, angered and amused – will it be best ever?
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