Rookie Arzani at ease in 'friend' Cahill's company

Highly-rated 19-year-old Daniel Arzani will have a chance to become the youngest player to don a Socceroos jersey at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Daniel Arzani's rapid rise is owed to his good form in the A-League with Melbourne City which earned him the 'young player of the year' award.

Daniel Arzani recently grabbed attention when he was named in Australia's 26-man preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. The highly-rated 19-year-old will have a chance to become the youngest player to don a Socceroos jersey at a World Cup.

To achieve that feat, Arzani would have to overcome the rigours of a training camp held in Antalya, Turkey, before Bert van Marwijk announces his final 23-man squad on June 3.

Arzani, who underwent his first training session last week, is still to come to terms with his first-ever national team call-up. "To be honest, it hasn't hit me yet. I haven't had that overwhelming excitement yet but it will probably come in the next couple of days," he told 

FFA TV .

Arzani's rapid rise is owed to his good form in the A-League with Melbourne City which earned him the 'young player of the year' award. The winger of Iranian heritage will aim to bring forward those qualities in the coming weeks under the watchful eyes of the manager.

"For me, I have to prove I am invaluable to the team and that I have something to add. That will come with just doing my own thing and hopefully doing well," he said.

Arzani's heroes include Harry KCewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano, who were deemed to be part of Australia's 'golden generation'. Cahill's presence in the camp has helped calm his nerves since they played together at Melbourne City last year.

"Coming into the camp was frightening as I didn't know anyone. Knowing I have Timmy (Tim Cahill) - he is a good friend of mine is helpful," he said.

Better yet, Arzani could lineup for his international debut alongside Cahill when Australia takes on the Czech Republic in Austria on June 1.

"It will be a dream come true to make my debut. Since I was young, I always dreamt of playing for Australia. To think that it could be happening in the next couple of weeks is amazing," he said.