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Ivan Vicelich - Source: Photosport
As another FIFA World Club Cup rolls around, the message remains the same for the Oceania representative.
The bunch of part timers from Auckland City head to Dubai for the eight team tournament hoping for a history making victory.
New Zealand teams have never won a match at the tournament but with football on a real high in this country the club hopes the magic will rub off on them.
Captain Ivan Vicelich told tvnz.co.nz the goal remains the same.
"It is our ambition to get a result. The possibilittes are there if we keep training hard and have a good performance on the day then we could get an upset."
The opposition first up is United Arab Emirates champions Al Ahli FCD and Vicelich admits they are a relatively unknown quantity
"We don't know a lot. We know they have struggled at the start of the season and have fired one of their coaches but they will be a very good side - they are all professionals."
The Auckland City squad have been impressed by what they have seen of the Arab side on DVD, but Vicelich admits, a little like the recent tie against Bahrain, this is a golden opportunity.
"Usually you have to play against the champions of Asia and this opportunity has come about because we are playing the host nation - it is not the biggest nation in the world."
Biggest challenge
The transition from the New Zealand Football Championship to playing on the world stage is always the biggest challenge for the Oceania representatives.
They get to be professionals for a week - staying in five star hotels, training every day and coping with worldwide media attention - or at least curiousity.
Expect the usual headlines - the team of policeman, postmen and mechanics set to take on multi-millionaire opposition.
Apart from the off-field distractions there is the small matter of lifting for the match in front of a crowd at least 10 times bigger than the Paul-Posa coached squad are used to.
"It will be a bit out of the ordinary for players, the opening game, in a big stadium, will be a few people there - those are the things to get over.
"When it comes to the game there will be a little bit of a buzz inside every player - little bit of nerves and that little bit extra that you get from playing big games."
Vicelich is clear about the tactics for the match on December 9.
"If we can hold out for the first 15, 20 minutes - get a bit of confident from that then anything can happen."
"It's on the world stage, it's a massive tournament and for some of the boys it will never come again."
History of Oceania representatives in the FIFA Club World Cup
2008
Waitakere United vs Adelaide 1-2
2007
Waitakere United vs Sephan 1-3
2006
Auckland City vs Al Ahly 0-2
Auckland City vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 0-3
