Christopher Van Huizen was earmarked for national selection two years ago, according to Singapore head coach Bernd Stange.
The LionsXII winger is due to make his international debut in an AFC 2018 World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Thursday night.
The former football reality star, who is now a familiar name with Malaysia Super League club LionsXII, was named in Stange's 24-man squad the Group E matches against Afghanistan and Cambodia (Oct. 13).
"Two years ago, I was very unhappy," explained Stange. "I saw First XII (local football reality show) and I found a player (Van Huizen) who was very interesting.
"I made a cross to his name (on the team sheet) but I thought not again, he's a foreigner. That is why from that time onwards, I followed this guy and now, he is sitting with us here at a (Singapore national team) media conference."
Despite having limited playing time for LionsXII, the nifty winger still managed a superb seven assists and one goal in all competitions. That came from 15 appearances, mostly off the bench.
With regular winger Gabriel Quak sitting out due to injury, Van Huizen may be the secret weapon for the Lions in a match against the Afghans that Stange has label;ed a "must win".
"For such matches, we (as coaches) are choosing special players with skills and if my eyes are good, what I saw from Chris in training sessions, a lot more in training because he is still a substitute player for LionsXII, was exactly what we are looking for" Stange said.
"He is good with both feet. And you (the media) tell me how many other players in Singapore can deliver such balls. Corner kick with right foot from left, left foot with right and other good crosses too.
"He is a dangerous player because he can also score goals. When you see a player like this, you've to do something and that is why he is here. It will take some time, maybe six or seven months to fit into the team, but he will grow alongside (experienced players) like Fazrul [Nawaz], Baihakki [Khaizan], Hariss [Harun] and Safuwan [Baharudin]."
While Van Huizen's call-up presents Singapore with more options down the flanks, the suspension of Safuwan and Hariss will leave a gaping hole in the central of midfield, with only Izzdin Shafiq as the recognised midfield general in the squad.
He added: "Since we started (our first game in this group), we already mention that it'll be a marathon.
"We will have a lot of problems along the way like injuries, suspensions and unexpected things but you have to (find) cover for such problems... if we cannot cover such problems, then we don't deserve to qualify."
Two wins in the next week could lift Singapore into second spot in Group E, pushing Japan into third place. While the German tactician admitted that there is a lot of groundwork at the youth level to be done in the Lion City before long-term success can be achieved, he is pleased with how far the team have come since their dismal AFF Suzuki Cup outing at the end of last year.
"I believe this team is very balanced in age (25.5 average)," noted the former Belarus coach. "We have good leaders, some youngsters who are not afraid to make mistakes and very strong leadership.
"It has been a long way to find (and build) this team, (there) was so much criticism, but now even in this situation (improvements at youth level needed), I feel well done Bernd,"
Singapore failed to defend their ASEAN crown at the Suzuki Cup in what was Stange's first competitive tournament as Singapore coach. So now advancing from Group E to the 2019 Asian Cup could vindicate the often maligned coach, who was recently given a contract extension until the end of the second round of qualifying matches in March.