New Zealand interim manager Neil Emblen has included teenage midfielder Ryan Thomas in his All Whites squad for next month's friendly with Japan.
The 19-year old PEC Zwolle youngster, who scored his first goal in the Dutch Eredivisie at the start of February, has been called into an inexperienced NZ roster for the March 5 meeting the Blue Samurai in Tokyo.
"Coming into the squad, I just want to stay calm and be myself,'' Thomas told the NZ Herald. "If I play the way I always play, things will be good. I'm just aiming to play good football.
"Since I've been here (at Zwolle) I've matured a lot in the way I play, and I've also learned a lot from the players about the things off the pitch as well.''
Thomas made the move to Holland from homeland club Waibop United in the middle of 2013 and has gone on to make 14 appearances in all competitions for two goals so far this season.
