Many considered the Students had outside chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Asia's premier club competition given that the side consists mostly of young players with less experience on the international stage.

However, the outfit showed they were not just a team to make up the numbers in the group.

In the opener, the Students proved more than a match for the visitors, South Korea's Chunnam Dragons, in a goalless home draw, in which they had missed many chances for what could have been a dream debut in the event that is equivalent to Uefa's Champions League.

Despite such an encouraging start, Somchai Sabperm's side are under no illusions that an away match against the Japanese, who last year surprisingly finished second in the J-League despite just being promoted to the country's top league two seasons ago, would be a daunting trip.

Given that Frontale are in superb form, coming off a 6-0 romp of Yokohama FC in the J-league match on Saturday, it by no means makes the prospect of gaining something from the match for Somchai's men increasingly improbable.

However, Somchai at least could draw some comfort from the fact that his team did not engage in domestic duty on the weekend that might help the Students' cause in springing a surprise result against the group favourites.

Besides, the team can acquire some inside formation about their opponents through their only major summer signing, Masahiro Fukazawa, the former Yokohama Marinos' midfielder.

Frontale are in no mood to let the atmosphere of their first home game turn sour with an unexpected result. And, coach Takashi Sekizuka has already sent a warning to his team not to underestimate the Students.