Dunedin Technical has a point to prove against its highly-rated Canterbury opponent, the Coastal Spirit, at Tahuna Park tomorrow.
It is a quarterfinal in the women's equivalent of the Chatham Cup, but there is also plenty at stake on a personal level.
Technical's talented trio of Shontelle Smith, Chelsea Whittaker and Tessa Nicol all trialled for a spot in the New Zealand under-20 team but were overlooked.
The Spirit, though, had five players - Lily Alfield, Meikayla Moore, Lauren Dabner, Laura Merrin and Belinda van Noorden - named in the squad.
The chance for a little payback should add extra spice to the fixture.
Interim manager Wade Kennard said Technical had done well to reach the final eight with a surprise 3-1 win over Roslyn.
''That was a big victory for us,'' Kennard said.
''It was the first time we had beaten Roslyn in the women's knockout cup.''
Technical will need to lift another notch if it is to get past the talent-laden visiting side. The Spirit is at the top of Mainland Football's premier league and was beaten in the final of the knockout cup in 2011. No FootballSouth team has progressed further than the quarterfinal stage.
''Our expectations are to hopefully win the game,'' Kennard said.
''We know that they are full of New Zealand reps, so it is a big fixture for us. We have not got this far before and we've got a young side.
''But the nucleus of this team has been together for [six years] and have come through the grades.''
Smith, Whittaker and Nicol form the spine of the side.
Smith (16) sets the tempo in the midfield. She has pace and good ball control and her best asset is her ability to read the game.
Whittaker's job is to put the ball in the back of the net. The striker was named FootballSouth's sportsperson of the year in 2012 following a wonderful season.
The 17-year-old uses both strength and skill to outmanoeuvre her opponents and can score with both feet. She is also very determined.
Goalie Nicol (17) is a good communicator and an aggressive shot-stopper. She commands space and is not afraid to come out of the box if need be.
''They all trialled for the under-20s but were all unsuccessful.
''We definitely have a point to prove. It is very hard for our girls to go any further, especially down here.''
