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Dartford and Gibraltar keeper Deren Ibrahim not put off by international football despite conceding fastest goal in World Cup qualifying history

08:00, 12 October 2016

updated: 11:30, 12 October 2016

Goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim took just 8.1 seconds to make history on his international debut for Gibraltar - but that's not put him off wanting more caps.

Gibraltar conceded the fastest-ever World Cup qualifying goal in Monday night’s 6-0 defeat to Belgium as Christian Benteke fired home, and though it may not have been an ideal start to life as an international Ibrahim took it well.

He said: “They could have scored after eight seconds or 80, it was just disappointing collectively as a team, but if Benteke scores the quickest World Cup goal in history then it might as well be against me!

Dartford goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim Picture: Andy Payton
Dartford goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim Picture: Andy Payton

“It was a massive achievement for me and all of the players in the Gibraltar team to play in a World Cup qualifier. Never in a million years did I think I would get the chance to play against players like that.

“Not many people can say they have done that. I made my debut against Belgium and it’s something I will remember all of my life.”

Now Ibrahim has his first cap, and the shirt of Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois, he’s hungry for more.

He said: “Hopefully I can become a regular now. I don’t want to just be a one-cap wonder. I want to be the Gibraltar No.1 I know I need to keep my form up for Dartford to get another call-up. If I can get another chance to play then that would be fantastic.”

Gibraltar are next in action on November 13 against Cyprus, but before that Ibrahim will be chasing another first – making it into round one of the FA Cup.

Standing in Dartford’s way this Saturday are Tonbridge Angels and Ibrahim said: “I have never played past the fourth qualifying round and so that would make it a great few days for me if we can do that.”

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