Midfielder reflects on debut joy and looks to the future.

By Nicholas Veevers

Reading youngster Jordan Obita capped his England debut off with a goal last week and is now hoping he can make another quick step up the international ladder before the season is out.

The 16-year-old midfielder played a crucial role in England U18s' victory against Poland at Adams Park in Wycombe last Tuesday, after coming on as a half-time substitute and creating one and scoring another in a 3-0 win for Noel Blake’s side.

Having made such an impression in his first appearance for England, Obita has already set his sights on further games for the Young Lions and with the likelihood of another U18 match in which to impress next year and then the U19 European Championship qualifiers in the spring on the horizon, there is plenty to aim for.

Of course, Obita is still young enough to feature for the U19s next season too, but with a number of his contemporaries already established at that level, it remains the next target for a player who has already featured in Reading’s first team this season.

“The target for me now is to get into the U19s,” said Obita, who has been on standby for Blake’s U19 squad in the past.

“It’s going to be hard because the team have done so well, but hopefully I’ll make it and I just need to keep playing well and will hopefully get the chance.”

The Oxford-born schemer certainly took to international football very quickly last week and it was an evening that he admits was thoroughly enjoyable.

“It was a very good experience and I had a lot of good players around me which helps,” he told TheFA.com

“I had about ten of my family and friends along to support, so that was great but it was a good game and I’m sure it was decent to watch for the fans who were here.”

It didn’t take long for Obita to make his impact on the game either. He replaced Southampton’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the break and within six minutes of his introduction, his cross from the left flank was tucked away by Saido Berahino.

He went one further with ten minutes of the game left, as a flowing move ended with him finishing off nicely in the area after fellow substitutes Pat Bamford and George Moncur had combined well to set him up.

“I just hit it first time when it came to me and it felt good to score in my first game for England,” he added.

“The week’s been very good for me and I’ve enjoyed it so it was just nice to get a goal.”

Watch video highlights of the game and see the goal for yourself by clicking the link on the right.