Intro:

Three-time Singapore champions Tampines Rovers take on South China in a first round play-off of the Asian Champions League.

The Hong Kong side have recently brought in four new foreign players to beef up their team.

Script:

S-League champions Tampines Rovers are set to play South China AA, their Hong Kong compatriots, in a first round play-off for a spot in the Asian Champions League.

South China has spent the last five days in Singapore trying to acclimatise to the heat.

Coach Cheung Po-Chuen said there is no guarantee for success in a knock-out game but believes his team will give their best effort to advance to the second round:

"I don't know how far we can run. You know? But I know we can play every game with heart. Try to win. This is my hope that my team can do this."

The Hong Kong side previously played in an ACL playoff in the 2002-03 season, where they lost in the second round. This time the club has signed four new foreign players a month ahead of this crucial tie, including two new strikers, Serbian Sasa Kajkut and Australian Andrew Barisic.

Three-time S-league champions Tampines Rovers are looking for a confident start under their new coach Salim Moin.

The former Singapore national player took charge of the club in the pre-season. They have also strengthened their squad including bringing in former Serbian U-23 striker Milan Mrdakovic.

Moin has no experience of any regional competition but the Rovers coach does not believe that would be a disadvantage:

"Basically, as I said, the pressure is always there. I feel very proud of the team to play in the ACL playoff, so I think it's a very big opportunity and if we are able to progress I should be very proud for the teams and also for the Singapore flag."