Home United are determined to fly the flag for Singapore football when they open their 2017 AFC Cup Group H campaign in the afternoon heat, away to Myanmar's Yadanarbon on Wednesday.
Following a two-year absence, the Protectors are back on the continental stage after booking their spot in the group stage of the AFC Cup with a 7-3 aggregate triumph over Cambodia's Phnom Penh Crown earlier this month.
About to embark on their eighth campaign in Asia's second-tier club competition, Home are behind only Tampines Rovers in the most appearances by a Singaporean club in the tournament.
They will face a number of tough continental matches over the next three months, having been grouped alongside Myanmar National League champions Yadanarbon and Vietnamese Cup winners Than Quang Ninh.
But given Home's traditionally strong displays in the AFC Cup, having reached the knockout round on five previous occasions, coach Aidil Sharin insists getting out of their group will once again be their target.
"It's not going to be easy but we definitely want to qualify for the knockout round of the AFC Cup," Aidil told ESPN FC.
"We have to set ourselves some sort of target otherwise there's not much purpose in playing.
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"After being absent for two years, we're looking forward to being back, following two good wins over Phnom Penh Crown.
"We want to take it one game at a time, but playing in the AFC Cup is not something that happens all the time.
"If we do well in the AFC Cup, it could also be a boost for us in the S.League so it's definitely one of our targets."
Aidil is, however, confident his side will not allow any complacency to creep in when they face off against Yadanarbon at Mandalar Thiri Stadium on Wednesday, especially given how much football in Myanmar has improved in recent years.
"All the teams in the AFC Cup are champion teams so there's no such thing as easy opposition," he added.
"Teams from countries like Myanmar have made a lot of improvement so we definitely can't take things lightly. In fact, I feel we are the underdogs for this game.
"For sure, this group isn't easy as Yadanarbon are a strong team, while we know any side from Vietnam always have a fit team with good, young players.
"The away games will not be easy especially against Yadanarbon, with the heat of a 5 p.m. kickoff, but we'll just have to be ready, adjust quickly and be mentally prepared.
"One point [away from home] would be good but we're not going there with that mindset - we want to win and try to get the three points so there's less pressure when it comes to our home games."
Having taken over at the helm of Home midway through last season, 2017 will mark Aidil's first full season in charge of a professional side.
Despite their status as one of the nation's traditional heavyweights, it has been 13 years since the Protectors were last crowned S.League champions.
Juggling the need to put on a strong showing on the domestic front with their continental commitments will not be an easy feat, something Aidil is acutely aware of.
"If you look at our players, a lot of them have never played in the AFC Cup before and they will be eager to participate in something new," he explained.
"But, as a coach, I will have to be careful with our recovery to avoid any injuries.
"After Yadanarbon, we play [Garena Young Lions] in the league three days later and then we fly off again to take on Brunei DPMM away.
"We can't do much about the schedule so it's important that other steps are put in place so that we always take care of the players."
Before Home United's match on Wednesday, S.League rivals Tampines Rovers will host Malaysia's Felda United in Group G in another 2017 AFC Cup opener.