GERMANY-BASED Annil Vigneswaran is out to prove his worth and silence his critics in next week's AFC Under-23 qualifiers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Annil plays for SGV Freiberg's Under-19 side. Freiberg is a fifth division German club.
The 18-year-old was surprisingly included by national youth coach Brad Maloney for the Mongolia assignment when he announced his 23-member squad on Tuesday.
Maloney's side will open their campaign on Monday against Laos before taking on Mongolia on Oct 28 and Thailand on Oct 31.
Annil's inclusion was questioned by several quarters as he did not attend any of the training camps in Kuala Lumpur.
Annil, who can play as a centre-back or striker, said everyone is entitled to their opinion.
He wants to use the next few days before the opening match to gel with his teammates.
"It feels great and an honour to be called up for an international assignment. I must thank the coach for believing in me and offering me the opportunity to prove my worth.
"I was supposed to return to KL last December for the national Under-19 training camp, but it did not materialise due to the Covid-19 pandemic," said Annil.
"I don't think it will be a problem gelling with my teammates. Everyone in the team is a great player, and I hope to use the next few days to adjust accordingly.
"People have their views about my inclusion for the Under-23 qualifiers. I have been in contact with the coaches for a long time, and they have been monitoring my progress.
"I am only 18, and I just want to work hard and do my best for my club and country," said the Kajang-born.
Annil had played for SGV Freiberg in pre-season competitions before flying off to Mongolia.
"My goal is to play in Europe. However, I will always be ready to don national colours.
"I will also have to decide whether to sign for Karlsruher SC or VfB Stuttgart ahead of the new season," he added.
Annil stressed that he still holds a Malaysian passport and will not give it up as he hopes to play for Harimau Malaya one day.
Annil, who was introduced to the game by his father at the age of seven, was part of the Little League football academy and had a stint at Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam when he was 10.
He then joined the Kuala Lumpur Youth Soccer team and later landed a spot in the Under-19 side of Freiberg.
