English-born Darren Lok is planning on taking Bahasa language classes as he is fast tracked into life as a Malaysia international striker, ahead of this month's AFF Suzuki Cup.
Lok was finally granted clearance to qualify as a local player in Malaysia after receiving his passport in September, despite signing for Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) II more than three months earlier.
Despite only 45 minutes of first-team football with JDT II, the strongly built forward was thrust into the national squad, and made his debut as a substitute in the goalless friendly in Singapore on Oct.7.
But, having made it into Datuk Ong Kim Swee's provisional 26-man team for the AFF Cup, the former English non-league attacker is now determined to be on the plane for Yangon on Nov.16 when Malaysia leave for the tournament.
"I am feeling a part of the team. It takes a while to come and get used to things, but all the boys have made me feel welcome," Lok told ESPN FC.
Team building in Port Dickson the last couple of days ������������
A photo posted by darrenlok14 (@darrenlok14) on
"I can understand more Bahasa now, but taking classes would definitely help me improve, and make things easier," said Lok, whose father hails from Malacca.
The 25-year-old has forged a close bond with Australian-born Matthew Davies, the other naturalised player in the squad. He is also good friends with Junior Eldstal, the JDT utility player who, like Lok, was plucked from non-league football in England.
But on the pitch, all the guidance and sharp sense in front of goal comes from his senior JDT mentors, Safee Sali and Amri Yahyah.
"Safee and Amri have bags of experience, and I am learning from them, especially Safee. It's good to pick up things from experienced strikers, a good learning curve for me," he said.
Malaysia will play Papua New Guinea in a friendly at Shah Alam Stadium on Nov. 14 before Ong drops three players to finalise his squad.
With the JDT duo, along with Terengganu's Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Selangor's Ahmad Hazwan Bakri spearheading the frontline, Lok knows how strong the competition for squad spots has become.
"There are some great strikers here and competition is strong. I'm just pleased to be part of the team. I have no idea if I'll make the squad to Myanmar, we'll have to wait and see. But I will be proud if I make it."
Happy Birthday @junioreldstal , welcome to the big #25 club ��������
A photo posted by darrenlok14 (@darrenlok14) on
The former Eastbourne Borough man is confident of Malaysia's chances in the regional showcase, which they are aiming to win for the first time in six years, having clinched their maiden success in 2010.
"I don't see why we can't go all the way. Two or three good games, and we'll be through," said Lok.
"We have been working hard in training so the spirit has been good."
The 26-man squad returned to FAM headquarters in Kelana Jaya on Friday after a three-day team-building camp in the coastal town of Port Dickson.