Malaysia will have to overcome humid temperatures and a bumpy, local pitch in Nadi as they look to wrap up their Oceania tour against Fiji on Sunday with a win.
Ong Kim Swee's men, who touched down on Thursday in Fiji's third largest city, will also have to face an afternoon kickoff, due to a lack of floodlights at the Prince Charles Park stadium.
"We are told the weather gets dark around 5pm, hence the early start. We have been doing only light training since arriving. The playing conditions will be a challenge to the players and I hope they can rise to the occasion," Kim Swee said.
Besides the lack of facilities and weather conditions that could soar up to 29 degrees Celsius, Malaysia will also be up against a team buoyed by a maiden football ticket to the Olympics.
Fiji defeated Vanuatu 4-3 on penalties after a goalless final at the Oceania Olympics qualifiers in July last year. The Under-23 side will now pit forces against South Korea, Mexico and Germany at the tournament proper in Rio in August.
"Fiji will also field half their senior team against us, as three overage players are in contention to the Olympics. No doubt they will make it difficult for us," added Kim Swee of the nation more popular for its rugby exploits.
Nothing but victory will suffice for Kim Swee, whose side are 13 spots above the Fijians in the world rankings at 173rd.
Malaysia had suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Papua New Guinea in their tour opener last week before recovering from a goal down to beat New Caledonia 2-1 on Wednesday.
But the 45-year-old coach will have to make do with a host of absentees for this game as defender Shahrom Kalam, winger Zaquan Adha and striker Abdul Latiff Suhaimi are all out through injuries.
"The likes of S. Kumaahran and Amirul Awang Kechik could be given a chance depending on their condition," added Kim Swee.
The Oceania tour was organised to increase Malaysia's rankings and also serve as warmup ahead of the biennial Suzuki Cup in November.
Besides the Suzuki Cup, the Southeast Asians also made the final phase qualifiers of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after they beat Timor-Leste 6-0 in a two-legged playoff on June 2 and 6.