Wellington Phoenix youngster Sarpreet Singh is relishing the opportunity to represent New Zealand in an upcoming football friendly against Canada.
The 19-year-old was one of six new faces named in Fritz Schmid's squad for the upcoming behind closed doors match against the 90th ranked Canadians in Spain on March 25 (NZ time).
The last month has been a wild ride for Singh, who has gone from reserve squad player at the Nix to starting midfielder with the first team. He chipped in with two goals in three games for the struggling club.
His performances on the field were enough for Schmid and Singh told Newshub he was delighted to earn the call-up to the All Whites.
"It is a huge honour to be called up into the national team, and I'm really excited to head to Spain," he told Newshub.
"I spoke to the coach a few weeks ago, and a couple of weeks after that I got an email to say I was in the team.
"I'm just trying to develop and become the best player I can be. Obviously, I'm starting to play the first team now, and this is all happening, so I'm happy with how my development is going."
Four of Singh's Wellington teammates have also been named in the squad to face The Canuck. One of those teammates, Michael McGlinchey, is the most experienced player named in the New Zealand side with 52 caps to his name.
Singh said he hasn't consulted any of international teammates about what it is like to wear the silver ferns, insisting all the focus has been on the Phoenix's upcoming encounter against the Newcastle Jets in Auckland.
"I haven't really spoken to them about national team stuff just yet, but I'm sure we will get there when we are on the plane.
"I'm taking it one game at a time, and that continues this weekend against Newcastle. That is where all my focus is, and then we will see what happens."
Newshub.
