New Socceroo Thomas Deng admits he's had a "surreal" feeling since his call-up to the Australia camp to play Kuwait on Tuesday morning (AEDT).
Deng, 21, earned his maiden Socceroos call-up for the camp and was one of the first to arrive on Monday.
The Melbourne Victory defender is capped at under-age level for Australia but, besides for a loan stint with Jong PSV, is foreign to international football.
His call-up was unexpected given it's currently the A-League pre-season and Deng said he was shocked.
“It’s an amazing feeling, it’s almost surreal," Deng said.
"When I found out the news, (National Men's Team Manager) Joel (Freeme) messaged me a few days before the final squad was announced, I woke up in the morning and read his message and straight away I rang my missus and told her the news and she was really happy.
"It's an amazing feeling to be here."
He added: "For me it's a different experience playing at the international level.
"There's some very good players in the national team. I'm looking forward to the game and seeing how the team works and the staff."
Kenya-born Deng, who has South Sudanese heritage, said he was thrilled to reveal the news to his family.
“When I told my family, when I broke the news to them, they were really proud of all the work that I’ve done in the past," he said.
“There’s a lot of work still to be done but it’s a big achievement and one that I’m really happy for.”
He added: "As a kid it's something you dream of and something you want to do when you get older.
"I'm very happy to be here. It's a massive achievement.
"I’m still 21 so to be able to play for my country, it would be an amazing feeling and I hope I can do the proud.”
Australia are due to play Kuwait in Kuwait City in Tuesday morning's friendly from 3:30am (AEDT).
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