Manchester United dragged their weary bodies into Japan today determined not to use tiredness as an excuse if their Club World Cup campaign fails to match expectations.
With no Brazilian or Argentinean opposition to face over the next week, United are firm favourites to succeed where Liverpool failed three years ago by becoming the first English team to be crowned world champions under the new format.
But with a nine-hour time difference and just three days to acclimatise before tackling home favourites Gamba Osaka in Yokohama, it will not be easy for Alex Ferguson's men, who had one training session in London before boarding their flight to the Far East.
United expect no sympathy, nor do they really feel they deserve any. With a massive squad at his disposal, Ferguson is choosing from strength.
And John O'Shea does not feel the long trip is a legitimate reason for below-par performances.
"It would be so easy to use the travelling as an excuse but we don't want to contemplate that," said the Republic of Ireland defender. "Obviously there will be jet-lag but that will be out of our bodies after a few days.
"We have to be on our guard because it is an opportunity for the other teams to collect a major scalp. But this is our reward for winning the Champions League final in Moscow. We have to try and take advantage of that."
Some might say a nine-day trip to Japan, with a St Stephen's Day fixture at Stoke four days after they return to England, is not much of a reward for the Red Devils.
However, their presence should at least give the home fans something to remember.
Twice over the past four summers, United have toured Japan to mass acclaim. The fact there is a real trophy on the line this time should heighten the atmosphere even more.
"You can just imagine how big this will be given the support we have in Japan," said O'Shea. "The atmosphere will be electric. Osaka might be the home team on Thursday but they could be outnumbered by United fans."
Past history suggests O'Shea's assessment is spot in, particularly as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney have made the trip.
Rooney will be anxiously waiting to hear whether Uefa will investigate his alleged stamp on Aalborg's Kasper Risgard last Wednesday before he can concentrate fully on the task ahead.
South America's representatives LDU Quito of Ecuador tackle Mexican quarter-final winners Pachuca for a place in the final on Wednesday, 24 hours before United look to overcome a starless Gamba outfit, who defeated Adelaide, the side they overcame in the Asian Champions League final, to earn their place in the last four.
The J.League outfit should be respected, although O'Shea is more than a little disappointed United have missed out on the opportunity to face New Zealand challengers Waitakere, beaten by Adelaide in last week's qualifying round.
"I wanted to face the Haka," smiled the Waterford-born rugby fan. "It would have been worth playing them just to see that. It is something you see a lot in rugby.
"Teams have been turning their back on it in union and league recently but it hasn't done them much good. It is a huge national tradition. You have to show it respect and stare it down."
