While Newcastle endured a miserable defence of their A-League crown, the emergence of teenager Kantarovski was a rare high spot.

He impressed sufficiently to catch Verbeek's eye and the Dutchman was keen to bring the youngster into camp for the Kuwait fixture and run the rule over him.

Speaking from Canberra today, Kantarovski told au.fourfourtwo.com that simply training with the squad was 'an honour'.

Kantarovski has come a long way in a very short time. He said: "I was training with the New South Wales Institute and then got the chance with the Jets and a contract.

"I would have been happy just to get a couple of minutes but then you find yourself in there. Then I get a call (for the Socceroos) on my way to school. It's surreal."

Whether Kantarovski gets a taste of action against Kuwait remains to be seen but even if the call doesn't come, he insists the experience so far has been 'massive'.

He is relishing training alongside experienced campaigners like Craig Moore and revealed Verbeek has been more than happy to spend some time and to offer advice.

Kantarovski said: "He (Verbeek) said that you should always try and better yourself and look to take it to the next level.

"Every session you want to improve yourself."

A busy period now beckons for the youngster. Once the Asian Cup qualifier is over, he will be clocking up the air miles.

He said: "I fly to Sydney (to meet up with the Newcastle Jets squad) and then off to China for the Asian Champions League. I'm looking forward to it."