From mascot to Australia squad for St Mirren's Chapman

Jacob Chapman thought the phone call tipping him off on a first call-up for Australia was just a compatriot at St Mirren looking for a lift to training. Instead the 25-year-old goalkeeper could be making his international debut against Brazil. "My girlfriend rang me up and was like, 'Keanu Bacuus has been ringing you,'", he explained. "I'd just woken up. I was like, 'Why is he ringing me so early? He probably needs a lift to training or something'. "Then he told me, 'I've just given your number to someone on the staff'. I tried not to get too excited straight away. Then I got a text asking if I was free for a quick chat. "The staff member said, 'Look, I just want to congratulate you. You've been selected in this upcoming camp'. They told me they'd been looking at me for a while now. It was a very nice call and I'm just really looking forward to it now. I cant wait." Playing for his country would be the fulfillment of a 20-year long ambition since he turned out as a mascot for the national side. "I walked out with Travis Dodd," recalled. "We won. I can't remember who it was against, I was so young. My mum actually just sent me the video of it today." Dodd would certainly have a good memory of the match since he became the first indigenous Australian to score for the Socceroos in a win over Kuwait in Sydney. "My mum's always reminded me of conversations we had when I was really young about how much I wanted to play, and it's never changed," added Chapman. Two penalty saves in the Premiership have caught the eye, along with his comfort with the ball at his feet. "I feel like every goalkeeper you meet says 'I was a striker and now I'm a keeper'," laughed Chapman. "I loved it when I was, and it definitely helps now with how the gaffer (Craig McLeish) likes to play." "I've faced probably more penalties than I should have, but I don't mind. Obviously, the last two have gone our way. A couple of clean sheets just reflects the whole team." After Saturday's home game against Dundee United, it's off to join the Australia squad for two friendlies against five-time world champions Brazil in Townsville and Brisbane. "It's crazy, just looking at their team, they've got some of the best players in the world," said Chapman. "It's a huge occasion. "It would be everything I've ever worked towards. I'm just excited to get there, put my head down and work really hard."