When Guangzhou Evergrande kicked off their debut season in the AFC Champions League by thrashing South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors 5-1 last month, it raised hopes the mainland champions might dominate the continental scene like they dealt with domestic opposition in 2011.
But as Guangzhou coach Lee Jang-soo prepares to take on J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol tonight after a 2-1 loss at home to Thailand's Buriram United, the Korean coach is under no illusions about the difficulties his team face in establishing themselves among Asia's elite.
'I have many good players but very few of them have any experience playing in the AFC Champions League,' says Lee (pictured), who steered the club to the second division title in 2010 before cantering to their first Chinese Super League crown last year.
'There's only Zheng Zhi and a couple of others, so they have to learn and get more experience. No one knows anything about it.
'Maybe we have a chance this year to win the AFC Champions League. After this game we have two at home and that's good for us.'
Guangzhou's rapid rise, not only to the top of Chinese football but to becoming one of the most talked about teams in Asia, has astonished even those involved with the club.