England midfielder Scott Parker says his display against Wales in the Euro 2012 qualifier will be vital to his inclusion in future squads.
The West Ham captain had won only four England caps before the 2-0 win in Cardiff, each under a separate manager.
"It probably hasn't baffled me, in football, nothing baffles me," he said.
"I knew it was my one chance to get in the team and I took it. That's the way it is for me - that's the way it always seems to be."
The 30-year-old, who made his England debut under Sven-Goran Eriksson against Denmark in November 2003, also said he believed he could add to his tally of just five international caps.
"At times, it has been a bit disappointing for me but, as always, I have just cracked on with it and seen what happens," the former PFA Young Player of the Year said.
"I took massive confidence from the second-half against Denmark last month," he continued. "I feel like I am probably playing the best football of my career. I went into the Wales game confident and in form and hopefully I showed that out there.
The one thing I have noticed in my career is that when the opportunity comes, you need to try and grab it with two hands "I would like to think that I can keep going the way I am going and do what I am doing.
"If I can do that and keep impressing the right people, then hopefully I can get a few more caps under my belt."
And despite being overlooked for last summer's World Cup squad after making the provisional squad, the former £10m Chelsea signing said he would ensure he made the most of his chance under Capello.
"The one thing I have noticed in my career is that when the opportunity comes, you need to try and grab it with two hands," he continued.
"If you go back through my career, whether it be when I went out on loan at Norwich and I came back and Alan Curbishley put me in the team at Charlton, that has happened.
"I thought about that before kick off in Cardiff. I knew I had to take my chance in this game. For definite."
Parker, who has spent spells with Charlton and Newcastle, also admitted that the loss of his father, who died recently, had affected him.
"I have been dealing with that in my own way and trying to stay strong," he added.
"I was with him on Friday [18 March] and then met up with the West Ham team in the hotel and played [against Tottenham] .
"He would have wanted me to have played on Saturday.
"I suppose it was the one time when I was going out on a Saturday and whether we won, lost or drew, and whether I played bad or good, it didn't really matter.
"I suppose the one disappointing fact was that he wasn't at Cardiff to see me play for England but I am sure he would have been looking down and been very proud."
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