AFC's player-coach Kelly Jarden knows her side will be up against it when they take on seven-time winners Lynn-Avon United in the women's Knockout Cup football final at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.
The Christchurch side are surprise finalists after upsetting Seatoun in the semifinals, but Jarden realised a Lynn-Avon side stacked with past and current internationals would be a different prospect.
"We know it's going to be very tough, there's no doubt about it, but perhaps Lynn-Avon will take us lightly. Seatoun did, and we knocked them over," Jarden said.
A former Football Fern, Jarden -- who was part of the Nomads side who lifted the trophy in its inaugural 1994 season -- said her side are "more intrigued than intimidated" by what awaits them in Auckland.
"The older players in our side who have been in the New Zealand set-up before know what to expect, whereas some of the younger players may be a bit naive. And that's a good thing, there's no fear.
"We'll go out all guns blazing and try and foot it with them."
The team return to Christchurch in time for the club's prizegiving on Saturday night, and Jarden is not completely ruling out the having some silverware to show off when they arrive.
"For us it's about self belief, how much we can rattle them, pressure them into mistakes, and we may even pinch a goal.
"Anything can happen, I reckon."
The match kicks off at 1pm followed by the men's 81st Chatham Cup final between Dunedin Tech and East Coast Bays at 4.30pm.
