When SCG Muang Thong United take on Japan's Kashiwa Reysol in the one-off third-round play-off of the AFC Champions League today, they will be hoping for some sort of parting gifts from stars Teerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan.
It will be the last game for both Thailand internationals, who have signed one-year deals with J-League clubs, as Muang Thong players. They won't accompany the Kirins on their journey back home.
Muang Thong are not the only Thai side staking a claim for a place in the Asian club championship group stage.
A reinvigorated Chiang Rai United team are also scheduled to test the might of giants Shanghai SIPG in China today.
Muang Thong coach Totchtawan Sripan had a few worries ahead of today's battle in Japan with Kashiwa Reysol, who were ranked fourth in the J-League last season.
"We came to Japan three days earlier because we wanted the players to get used to the cold weather here," said Totchtawan.
"The cold weather here can affect the respiratory system. We were worried so we arrived here early. The temperature is expected to be around around 0-1C at the match time.
"Even after spending so many days here, we are concerned that the weather may cause difficulties for our players, making them tired faster than usual."
Totchtawan added: "We played Kashima Antlers and Kawasaki Frontale last year, so we know that Kashiwa Reysol are a tough team. It won't be an easy game for us.
"The standard of Japanese football is much higher than Thailand. We will try to fine tune our tactics for the game but it will be difficult. We don't have much information about them as they rotate their team a lot.
"All I can say is that Kashiwa Reysol have a good control of the ball and play a good passing game. We have to be very patient in the game with them."
The Muang Thong coach added: "Celio Santos still has an injury from the previous game, but the other players are fit for the game. We are checking on the fitness of [new signing] Jakson Coelho. He seems to have a problem with his fitness as he cannot play the full 90 minutes."
About the Kirins' chances of making it to the group stage, Totchtawan said: "If we play according to our tactics and stick to the game plan, we do have a chance of going through. We are looking forward to the game."
The only Thai team to have qualified for the group stage through the play-offs was Buriram United a few years ago.
However, Totchtawan insisted that anything can happen in football, "although we are facing lots of disadvantages playing away in Japan".
Kashiwa Reysol coach Takahiro Shimotaira said: "This could be a difficult game for us because Muang Thong are a strong team.
"Although we have had a short preparation, we will try our best to win this match. It is important for us."
The match between Muang Thong and Kashiwa Reysol will start at 5pm (Thai time), while Chiang Rai United play Shanghai SIPG at 6.35pm (Thai time).