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With group leaders Frontale already assured of the only qualifying spot from the group to the knockout stage, the result is purely academic. However, the home tie is still important for the Thailand Premier League champions as it presents the last opportunity for Somchai's men to bow out of the competition, the equivalent of Uefa's Champions League, on a high.

Although it looks a tall order for the winless students, who prop up their group with three points from five matches, Somchai can draw some strength from their home performances. They have not conceded a goal in the previous two fixtures against South Korea's Chunnam Dragons and Arema Malang of Indonesia. They also drew 1-1 draw with the Japanese team in March.

The students' bid to register their maiden victory in their debut campaign in the continent's elite club competition is also likely to receive a helping hand from the J-League runners-up as Frontale, with their mind on the quarter-finals, look certain to rest some of their first-team players.

Despite a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Thailand Tobacco Monopoly on Saturday which left them 11th in the 16-team league, Somchai remains focused on guiding his team to a first victory on the continental stage. "Against Frontale, we will field a side consisting of some young players and others who have rarely played before to give them a chance to earn invaluable international experience," said Somchai.

"I would like to save our regular players for the domestic mission this weekend because our situation in the league does not look good at the moment. We need to pay more attention to the league.

"However, that does not mean we will take it lightly against Frontale - we will play to the maximum. We have nothing to lose and I hope the players can learn as much as they can in this game against such strong opponents. Hopefully, we will win in our last match." The game will take place at the Royal Thai Army Stadium (6pm kick-off).