Arabic version: فورستييري يستهدف مفاجأة في كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي مع أكسفورد سيتي

According to BBC News, Fernando Forestieri is hoping to help Oxford City produce an FA Cup upset when they host Leicester City in the first round on Friday at 19:45 GMT. The 36-year-old former Watford and Sheffield Wednesday forward has joined the National League North club after recent spells in Malaysia and Cyprus.

Forestieri made his Oxford City debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win at Hebburn Town, watched by 873 supporters. The Hoops’ seventh victory in 11 games left them third in National League North. He said the match felt “like a tennis match”, with the ball moving quickly from one end to the other.

Oxford City expect a 3,500 sell-out crowd for the Leicester tie. Forestieri said there was “a big gap” between Leicester’s Premier League title success 10 years ago and their current position, adding: “Why can’t Oxford City cause an upset? This is what the FA Cup is all about.” Leicester are a League One side.

The Argentine has played against some of football’s biggest names during a career that began with a senior debut for Genoa after he moved to Italy aged 16. He faced Barcelona, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic while with Malaga in 2009-10, and played against Cristiano Ronaldo when Juventus met his Udinese side five years ago. Forestieri, who is taking coaching badges, said he still has a passion for football and wants to help an ambitious Oxford City side.

After the cup match, Oxford City travel to the north-east to face Darlington in a league game next Tuesday. Forestieri said players need to listen to their bodies at 36, but added that he felt lucky to still be playing and to have a club that wants him.