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Young fans are hit for six on day with stars

6/ 6/2006

<p><P>MEETING one player from England’s World Cup squad at Manchester United’s legendary Old Trafford ground would make every football fan’s dream come true.</P> <P>But a lucky set of siblings became the envy of grown men everywhere when they met virtually the entire squad at Saturday’s match between England and Jamaica.</P> <P>Fourteen-year-old Nadia Ul-Haq and her 10-year-old brother Kasim, from Shawclough, were given the VIP treatment after being invited to watch the game as special guests.</P> <P>The pair enjoyed snacks and drinks while mingling with footballers’ wives and girlfriends, such as Victoria Beckham, Coleen McLoughlin and young Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham, in the family lounge before settling down to watch the game.</P> <P>And, after cheering England to a 6-0 victory, Nadia and Kasim sat down with the players, including Peter Crouch, Michael Owen, Theo Walcott and their families to enjoy a star-studded Old Trafford dinner.</P> <P>Proud mum Samina Ul-Haq said: "The children were thrilled to be meeting the potential winners of this year’s World Cup.</P> <P>"Nadia wasn’t a big football fan before but she said the atmosphere at the game was overwhelming, nothing like the games she had seen on television.</P> <P>"She was excited to meet Michael Owen and also Theo Walcott.</P> <P>"Kasim wanted to meet David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand but they had to give television interviews after the match.</P> <P>"He also met Theo Walcott and Michael Owen, but unfortunately missed Peter Crouch’s goal-scoring celebrations because everyone in the room stood up when he scored and Kasim couldn’t see."</P> <P>The family admitted they weren’t England fans before the game but would be proudly waving the St George Cross during all the matches.</P> <P>Mrs Ul-Haq said: "This is something the children will remember forever and will make this World Cup a very special one for them."</P> <P><STRONG><EM>Click on the images below to see more pictures ...</EM></STRONG></P></p>