KUALA LUMPUR: After an eight-year absence from the continental stage, Selangor return to the reformated Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) against Thailand's Muangthong United at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday.
The Red Giants' form looks promising, highlighted by a commanding 4-0 Super League victory over Kuching City at MBPJ Stadium last week.
Selangor head coach Nidzam Jamil said: "We're eager to achieve our first win on the Asian stage, which would greatly boost our confidence.
"However, competing at this level presents a unique challenge and there are areas we need to address."
Selangor will be bolstered by the recent arrival of Jordanian striker Ali Olwan who has forged a formidable frontline with Chilean Ronnie Fernandez, Uzbek Umar Eshmurodov and Cape Verdean Alvin Fortes.
Meanwhile, Muangthong boast a formidable roster that includes several Thai national players: Songwut Kraikruan, Kakana Khamyok, Korawich Tasa and Tristan Do, as well as Scott Woods and John Strauss from the Philippines.
Muangthong, sitting third in the Thai League 1, are further bolstered by ex-Aston Villa and Valencia defender Aly Cissokho and former AC Milan forward Emil Roback.
The Group H clash could also feature a subplot as Selangor's Singaporean captain Safuwan Baharudin is due to face his compatriot, Jacob Mahler, who plays for Muangthong.
Selangor's most notable achievement in the AFC Cup (now known as ACL2) was reaching the quarter-finals in 2006 before losing to Lebanon's Al-Nejmeh. Muangthong's best performance was reaching the semi-finals in 2010 before losing to Syria's Al-Ittihad.