Waitakere meet the Reds on December 11 in a play-off qualifying match. The winner then goes onto the quarter finals and the daunting prospect of a match up with Gamba Osaka.

And if that isn't difficult enough, the winner of that match will then meet Manchester United in the semi final.

It's a very tall order but the NZ FC club says playing top flight opposition is the key to being ready for their biggest match of the year in Tokyo against the ACL runner up.

"Last year we learned a lesson that we needed to play more matches against quality opposition before arriving in Japan," United coach Chris Milicich said.

With that in mind, Waitakere played Wellington Phoenix on the weekend as part of their preparations.

Milicich added: "To go from the NZFC to the World Club Cup was too big a jump.

"So this year we are playing a couple of matches along the way in Australia and China but start things rolling with this match against Ricki's Phoenix side.

"In many ways this will replicate what we might face in Japan perfectly, a one-off match against a Hyundai A-League quality team...and coming to terms with a faster pace of game and better quality opposition."

Phoenix, however emphasised the gap between A-League and NZ FC with the New Zealand and Oceania champions going down to Wellington 7-0 on Saturday.

Milicich told local reporters after the game: "This is where we are. This is where we've got to get to. This is what we have to do.

"They could've come here, we could've won 1-0, they could've taken it as a holiday, and what was the point?"

However, with former Leeds United and Perth Glory rock Danny Hay at the back, as well as Neil Emblen formerly of NZ Knights in the side, there is enough experience in the Waitakere side to at least make life difficult for the Reds.

And adding a touch of class is Brazilian Adriano Pimenta. The 25 year old Brazilian playmaker has spent time with FC Thun (Switzerland), Yokohama FC (J League) and more recently Bragantino (Brazil).