"We have the small obstacle of playing against the world champions and we're looking forward to meeting up with them, " said Black, who harbours ambitions to return to club management.

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We're disappointed to be out of the Champions League but that's enough motivation to keep on in this competition.

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Hours later, and we're stood outside the modestly named Hyatt Grand Champions Resort Hotel looking like pasty extras from a low-budget road movie.

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"We're not intimidated or scared or anything like that because we've already played the defending national champions, " Luper said.

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