Of all the famous Asian Champions League matches to have been played on Australian soil, it's still the very first game on the eastern seaboard in 2007 that's arguably the most memorable.
"Any Japanese player who gets a move to Urawa knows they've hit the big time and they're on the national stage": Brosque. Photo: Getty Images
Venturing into the great unknown, Sydney FC played the all-conquering Urawa Red Diamonds in front of over 21,000 at Allianz Stadium – with some estimates reckoning Urawa brought 3000 fans alone.
Taking the lead in the first minute through David Carney's stunning strike, the Sky Blues then doubled their lead through an Ufuk Talay penalty.
But goals to Brazilian star Robson Ponte and veteran forward Yuichiro Nagai denied victory for the hosts – and proved decisive in denying Sydney FC a place in the second round.
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"Really it was the atmosphere that took me by surprise a little bit. They brought a hell of a lot of travelling fans to come and watch, which we're probably not used to in the A-League. It was really special," captain Alex Brosque said. "A lot of times, the Champions League games are midweek and don't have the same atmosphere because of the smaller crowds, but that night was the opposite and everyone still talks about it."
Almost a decade has passed since and the two sides will lock horns again this Wednesday at the same venue. And this time, the Sky Blues can book their passage to the second round with a win.
That prospect is more remarkable considering Graham Arnold's side opened their ACL campaign in Urawa with a 2-0 defeat, which indicated Sydney would struggle in a group with defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande and three-time champions Pohang Steelers. But Sydney have won three on the bounce and are in the box seat to qualify. It might be a shock to some, but not Brosque.
"It's obviously been such a disappointing end to the A-League season and we know we're a lot better than what we've shown," he said. "I think our style has proven very effective in Asia. We're denying teams time and space and defensively we've been good. If we can maintain that, I think we can get the points we need to make it to the second round."
Brosque, 32, knows better than most about the power of the Mitusbishi-owned Japanese juggernaut, having not only played in that 2007 match but having plied his trade with Shimuzu S-Pulse for two seasons.
"In Japan, they're the biggest club in the country and you can feel that when you get off the train or bus in Saitama. There's posters, banners, things hanging off light posts, all promoting the club. You know it's Urawa's city," he said. "They're the talk of the town every week they play and they're genuine superstars in Japan.
"Playing for Urawa makes you instantly a celebrity. Any Japanese player who gets a move to Urawa knows they've hit the big time and they're on the national stage. That's an aura few teams have but they definitely do."
Brosque missed most of the past A-League season with a recurring hamstring injury and while he's planning to start light running next week after recent surgery, there's no plan to take part in the ACL campaign for now. "There's no chance I'll be involved, even in the round of 16. It's about the next pre-season and getting it spot on for next year," he said.