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Although it doesn't match what the Chinese Olympic team are facing - the nation expects - the expectations swirling around the Phoenix this season are higher than they have ever been for a New Zealand team.
This time last year, coach Ricki Herbert was still introducing himself to
a squad he had put together rather hastily. It was all about regaining credibility after the abysmal efforts of the Kingz and Knights.
Given 14,300 fans attended the final Phoenix home match of last season, even though they were bottom of the table - 100 less than their opening game, when it was all fresh and exciting - it's clear they did a lot of things right. This season, however, is all about results.
"The honeymoon period is over to an extent," says Adam Brown, one of the 5500 Yellow Fever disciples who follow the Phoenix. "You get forgiven for being last first time around because the club was put together in such a short space of time. This season, they will be judged, especially by the non-footballing public, on their results, so I think it's crucial they do well.
"We would be disappointed if they are not there or thereabouts in the top-four equation. Finishing last again would be an abject failure but, given the recruitment that has gone on at the club, we don't think that will happen."
If their form in the Pre-Season Cup is anything to go by - reaching the final before being beaten on penalties by Melbourne - fans can approach this season with genuine optimism, not blind hope.
It needs to be remembered, however, that this competition carries the name for a very good reason; it is pre-season.
"The signs are encouraging but you can't get too carried away because pre-season is about experimentation," says former Kingz captain Harry Ngata.
"To finish in the top four would be fantastic. I think if they could finish out of the bottom two, that would be a step in the right direction. But the players that Ricki has brought in are superior to the ones he let go and the balance of the squad looks very good."
Herbert has made significant changes to last year's squad. Out went Ross Aloisi, Ahmad Elrich, Steven Old, Royce Brownlie, Steven O'Dor, Felipe, Jacob Spoonley and Kristian Rees to be replaced by Andrew Durante, Jon McKain, Leo Bertos, David Mulligan, Leilei Gao, Adam Kwasnik, Troy Hearfield and Ben Sigmund.
Fullback Manny Muscat was signed as long-term injury cover for Vince Lia and the club received a boost with news Tony Lochhead failed to secure a contract with English Premiership club Middlesbrough. Herbert still has one spot available for a striker, which he will keep open until the November transfer window.
Herbert understands why his side were rated by six of the eight A-League captains as the competition's dark horses.
"We have probably opened a few eyes from the pre-season," he says. "We have got some good players in, better than what we had last year, and we can go into the season with a degree of confidence.
"Everybody has an ambition to be part of the top four and we are no different. We want to win the championship in the future but you have to have all your eggs in a row.
"You can have all the ambition in the world but if you don't have that platform to start from, then it is only ambition. So for us, it's still about the longevity of the club and what we will look like in 10 years."
Fans aren't usually that patient but the Phoenix seem to be heading in the right direction.Ivan Vicelich has retired from international football. "It's never an easy thing to walk away from the All Whites jersey but I feel the time is right," said the 31-year-old, who won 63 caps between 1995 and 2007. Vicelich, who spent eight years playing in the Netherlands, will play in the NZFC.
Goals from Jeff Bresnahan and Jeff Campbell helped East Coast Bays win through to their first Chatham Cup final after beating Nelson Suburbs 2-1 yesterday. Dunedin Technical host Glenfield Rovers today to find the other finalist.
