Fuelled by critics, Olympic champions Canada are out to lay the foundations for another global shock when their Women's World Cup campaign kicks off against Nigeria in Melbourne.
Canada have never finished higher than fourth at the tournament, but record-breaking captain Christine Sinclair is adamant her team of "rock stars" is ready to reach new heights.
That will start with jostling their way through a highly-competitive group B, which also includes hosts Australia and debutants Ireland.
"Around the world we're still overlooked, which is fine by us," Sinclair told reporters on Thursday ahead of her sixth World Cup appearance.
"We were overlooked heading into Tokyo (Olympics) and we showed the world what we're capable of.
"All it has done has helped us as players and helped us as a team feel that confidence to know that we can beat any team in the world.
"It's just fuelled us and those teams that win, it's contagious.
"Once you taste that, once you experience that victory, you just want to do it again.
"It's motivated us to once again prove to the world what we're capable of."
Canada's WWC preparation has fallen against the backdrop of a pay dispute with Canada Soccer, which Sinclair said is "on the verge of being signed".
"We're not focused on it anymore - it's about to get done," Sinclair said.
"Honestly, we haven't thought about it for one second these past couple weeks.
"We're just focused on playing."
Canada coach Beverly Priestman expects a physical test from Nigeria, but says her side will be up to the challenge.
"Physicality's a big part of our game," she said, "but at the same time my message has been to stay out of the chaos.
"We've got to bring the calmness and that level of composure amongst the chaos."
Later on Friday, former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic will lead the Philippines in their debut Women's World Cup against Switzerland, who are attending their second, at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Ex-Matilda Angie Beard, who switched allegiances this year, is among the 'Filipinas' due to make their first World Cup appearance in the group A match.
Meanwhile, Spain have played down concerns over the fitness of star playmaker Alexia Putellas ahead of their opener against Costa Rica in Wellington.
The back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner only returned in recent months from an ACL tear and left the training track early this week.
"We are very careful with everything that we do and we're trying every possible means so that Alexia would be in condition to play tomorrow," coach Jorge Vilda said via a translator.
