Proud Latics' captain on his first South African cap
Latics' captain Dean Furman has described winning his first full cap for South Africa against Brazil as the best day of his life."It has been an incredible day and one which will live with me for the rest of my life," the midfield man revealed exclusively to Latics' official website from Sao Paolo.
"The whole matchday experience was incredible and I was very lucky to be involved. It has to be the highlight of my career along with making my first-team debut for Rangers."
Furman was one of two players to be handed their debuts against the five times World Cup winners.
And it came four years after his one and only previous call up when he was an unused substitute against Australia.
He was named in new coach Gordon Igesund's 25-man squad but could scarcely believe he would start the game.
Furman continued: "It has been surreal and an incredible experience. I am also very proud to have represented my country.
"We have been working on team shape for the last few days, but the manager told us not to take any notice and he was chopping and changing things.
"It was only when we were on the coach travelling to the game that he told me I was starting."
Furman added it was an incredible to be on the same pitch as Chelsea trio David Luiz, Ramires and Oscar as well as Neymar and Dani Alves.
He continued: "You have to give players like them respect, but not too much to allow them to walk over you.
"We did ever so well and for a 20-minute spell in the second half were on top and could have nicked a goal.
"We came off disappointed to have lost which was great credit bearing in mind it was a new squad which had only been together for three days."
Furman added there was a great atmosphere in the Estadio do Morumbi, a giant bowl, with the attendance around 50,000.
He also explained the experience from his earlier call up helped him settle this time round.
"A lot of the same boys were in the squad and everybody has made me feel very welcome," he continued.
Furman was pleased how he acquitted himself in what is a massive step up from npower League One.
He said: "I was pleased with how I played on my debut.
"I thought I did well, but hopefully there is a lot more to come."
Furman was delighted his family were able to watch the game live on the internet.
They would have like to have made the trip to Brazil, but it was made at too short notice for them to make arrangements.
Furman leaves for South Africa today to play in a friendly against Mozambique on Tuesday.