Promising teen: Luka Jordy Hodak (centre) is hoping to don national colours one day. — FAM

PETALING JAYA: The nerves were real. Luka Jordy Hodak will admit as much.

Stepping onto the pitch as a substitute for Malaysia’s Under-19 side, the 17-year-old winger felt the weight of the moment, his first cap, his first taste of international football.

His father, the former Malaysia Under-19 coach Bojan Hodak, who recently made history in Indonesia by being the first coach to win three consecutive Super League titles with Persib Bandung, had never worn the national jersey with Croatia.

The son now has taken the first step with Malaysia, for an age group side with the hope of donning the senior colours one day.

“I got a bit nervous, I have to be honest,” Luka said after his debut in Malaysia’s 4-0 rout of Brunei in the AFF Under-19 Championship.

“I didn’t play well at first, but towards the end of the game, I got the hang of it. I’m just happy to have had my debut.”

The Damansara-born teenager, who trains with the NK Trnje Zagreb youth academy, was brought into the squad for international exposure and he arrived carrying a surname that precedes him.