Somchai Sabperm's side are keen to make their debut in Asia's elite club competition, the equivalent of Uefa's Champions League, although they could not have asked for a stiffer test when they launch their campaign against South Korea's FA Cup holders.

Considering that Somchai's men have no experience in the Asian club competition, many opine that the Students have only an outside chance to progress into the next round. Somchai, however, is convinced his side could fare well in their group-stage campaign despite having to face Arema Malang of Indonesia and Japan's Kawasaki Frontale as well.

"Many will tell us that we don't have a chance because our competitors are leading clubs from the top ranking countries in Asia, like Korea and Japan, and that their standard of football is much higher than ours," said Somchai.

"But our team could spring a surprise. Our players are good fighters and some of them are from the Thailand side that did well at the World University cup [in Turkey in 2005]."

Thailand had to concede a place to accommodate one of Australia's two representatives in Asia's premier club tournament, leaving Bangkok University as the only team from the Kingdom to have a chance of reaching the knock-out stage for only the second time after BEC Tero Sasana, who went on to reach the final in 2003 only to suffer defeat at the hands of UAE's al-Ain.

Although the Students succumbed 2-1 in the recent King's Trophy, a prelude to the league that starts later this month, at the hands of Osotspa whom they pipped to claim the title by a single point last season, Somchai is approaching their continental debut with confidence.

"This is a big tournament for us and we will do our best," Somchai said. "But we are not taking part just for the experience. Our first step is to get to the second round and I am confident that our team has a good chance of achieving this."

The game between Bangkok University and Chunnam Dragons will take place at the Thai-Japanese Youth Welfare stadium. The match kicks off at 6pm.