One of them was still getting over his jetlag while the other had a bout of homesickness, but Wanganui Athletic's new English imports were straight into the swing of things with their 3-1 victory over Palmerston North Massey at Wembley Park on Saturday.
The 20-year-olds Aiden Upward and Hishi GyatsoLama are the two latest players to come from the academy system in the United Kingdom to play football for the Athletic club.
Goalie Upward played in Hampshire while striker Lama has come the long way around, being based in Wales but originally from his native Nepal.
Their arrival was arranged through Athletic FC's vice-president Peter James.
"Just a bit of experience, how other people play and [different] culture as well," Lama said, having only touched down in New Zealand this time last week.
"For the experience, I've never been abroad. It was time to grow up a little bit, be a man," said Upward, who has had three weeks to acclimatise himself and admits it was a struggle at first.
Upward will have to play through injury after hurting ligaments in his fingers.
He could not get over the size of Wembley Park, saying at home they do not have an area that big with so many dedicated playing fields.
Both are coaching youth teams and want to play their part in helping Athletic do well in the Western Premiership, with an eye to returning to the Lotto Federation League in 2016.
They are scheduled to return home in September, although Lama said he is already considering staying on while Upward would be happy to come back.
