SAFFC's Therdsak Chaiman has vowed his side will not be the whipping boys of Group G in the 2009 Asian Champions League.

This is despite the Singaporean team being drawn against some of the biggest names in the Asian game.

Richard Bok's team, who have qualified for the group stage for the first time in their history, face the might of Japanese champions Kashima Antlers, Korean champions Suwon Bluewings and Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.

But veteran midfielder Therdsak, who was a losing finalist in 2003 with Thai side BEC Tero Sasana, is refusing to be overawed by the opposition as the Singaporean side prepare to take on Shanghai in their opening game on Wednesday evening.

"In our group, Kashima Antlers, Suwon Bluewings and Shanghai Shenhua are all teams that have competed at the top level in Asia almost every year," said the former Thai captain.

"But we must not think that we are the weakest. I think SAF are capable of pulling off a surprise in at least one or two of the games."

Bok believes his players need to step up their game.

"Now that we are finally in the ACL, we have to step up our game by another level if we are to make an impression in the group," he said.

"It will be a steep learning curve for us as the other teams are definitely much better than us."

Bok's opposite number, Shanghai coach Jia Xiuquan, insists his side need to pick up all three points against SAF to challenge the Japanese and Korean champions.

"We have no choice but to claim three points on Wednesday," he said. "If we can't win, we will have a slim chance of qualifying.

"They (Singapore Armed Forces) are not a strong team but they are not weak either. We shouldn't expect an easy win."

Suwon and Kashima face off in Korea on the same evening at Suwon World Cup Stadium with Cha Bum-kun expected to ring the changes after his side's 3-2 loss on the opening day of the K-League season to Pohang Steelers.

"We switched off at crucial moments against Pohang," said the two-time UEFA Cup winner.

"I hope that we can learn the lessons from that defeat in time for Wednesday's match against Kashima. We have an early opportunity to recover and put the Pohang game behind us.

"It will be a tough match on Wednesday and we have to prepare to the best of our ability. I expect that a number of players who didn't play against Pohang on Saturday will start against Kashima."