First-timer Ekanit Panya is making no effort to hide his delight at being named among the probables for the Thai national team which will take part in the Asian qualifiers for the 2022 Fifa World Cup early next month.
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) on Tuesday announced the initial list of 33 players to undergo training under new coach Akira Nishino of Japan in preparation for the continent's second qualifying round for Qatar 2022.
The War Elephants are scheduled to take on Vietnam in their first game on Sept 5 before undertaking a trip to Indonesia on Sept 10.
The other teams in the Asean-heavy Group G are Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
Chiang Rai United midfielder Ekanit is happy to see his name among the 33 players after getting a call-up to the national training camp for the first time in his career.
"I knew that FAT officials and staff coaches were observing me and that put me under a lot of pressure," said the 19-year-old star.
"Despite all those reports and rumours, I never expected to be shortlisted among the probables.
"It is all too quick for me. Everything in my career has so far followed the established pattern.
"I joined the academy at Chiang Rai and it helped me develop my skills. I started from Thai League 3, playing for Chiang Rai City. I then moved up to the second tier and the top flight with Chiang Rai United. It has always been one step at a time for me."
The young player added that he would try to learn as much as possible from the national team training camp.
"This is a great opportunity for me and I will try to learn from the senior players in the national team," said Ekanit.
"I don't know if I will make the 23-man final line-up but I am just happy to get this opportunity to train with the best players in the country.
"Phi Jay [Japan-based Thai star Chanathip Songkrasin] is one of my idols and I want to be like him.
"This will be my first time to train with him. I will try to learn as much from him as possible."