KUALA LUMPUR: Brazilian-born Endrick Dos Santos's first football match for Malaysia saw him celebrating a win with his adopted country.
The match against Turkmenistan in an international friendly at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Thursday ended in a 1-0 victory for Malaysia.
And Johor Darul Ta'zim midfielder Dos Santos recorded his first cap for Harimau Malaya.
The man from Santana, Brazil, who became a naturalised player early this year, said he was glad to help world No 145 Malaysia beat world No No 135 Turkmenistan.
The 28-year-old, whose attempts were denied by in-form Turkmenistan goalkeeper Charyyev Rasul, said he wants to be on target against Hong Kong on Tuesday in another friendly at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. So, he hopes coach Kim Pan Gon will let him have a crack at Hong Kong.
Dos Santos felt that his presence in the team had helped to stabilise the Malaysian midfield against Turkmenistan.
"I wasn't upset that I didn't score against Turkmenistan. I came in to strengthen the midfield, and I thanked Pan Gon for the opportunity," said Dos Santos.
"Although I played deeper in midfield, which isn't how I play at JDT, I'm comfortable with Pan Gon's instructions.
"However, there was a bit of misunderstanding especially when making passes to my teammates, but that is normal considering that we only had a short time to prepare, and learn each other's style of play."