Sydney FC coach Steve Corica says his side is ready to fully embrace the challenge of a tough AFC Champions League group when their campaign kicks-off next month.
The Sky Blues eased into the competition with a one-sided 5-0 win over outclassed Philippines side Kaya FC on Tuesday evening.
Doubles from Bobo and Adam Le Fondre, plus a Trent Buhagiar opener, saw off an underdone opponent at a rain and wind-swept Jubilee Stadium in Sydney's south.
A-League clubs have endured varied experiences with the competition, finding the mix of long-haul travel and unfamiliar football culture an unhappy challenge at times.
But Corica says the club is hungry to compete and succeed in continental competition.
"The club wants to be in the tournament and play against the best in Asia, and now we have that opportunity," Corica said.
"One of the reasons players come to the club is to play in Asia and play against the best.
"It gives them opportunities as well if they want to move on in the future it is a stepping stone."
The Sky Blues will face two familiar opponents in Korean champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and also Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos, who are now led by former Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat.
Vietnamese outsiders Hoang Anh Gia Lai complete Group H.
"It is a tough group and we are actually used to these teams now. We have Jeonbuk first up and that will be a good challenge for us," Corica said.
"I think we know what to expect especially with those two teams (Jeonbuk and Yokohama), they are good teams that have been around for a long time.
"We are looking forward to the challenge ahead of us and it is great to be in the group stage once again."
Though the match officials approved the pitch suitable for play, Tuesday's match was in doubt until kick-off with storms and high winds swirling around Sydney.
There was, however, little scope to postpone the match with Kaya booked on a return flight home early on Wednesday, and a chaotic A-League schedule looming.
Sydney FC's match scheduled for Friday against Western United was postponed earlier on Tuesday and replaced by a weekend trip to Perth Glory for the Sky Blues.
Corica, though, remained phlegmatic about the constant changes after two years of fixtures amendments, with their schedule set to be further filled with the six-match Champions League commitments.
"We will now have a lot of games coming thick and fast," Corica said.
"But we are used to it (fixture changes) at short notice,and that is just part and parcel now."
