Wellington Phoenix are finally back on their home turf and trained at Sky Stadium on Saturday, before their first home game in more than 300 days.
Their return couldn't have come at a more crucial time in the season, as they push for a spot in the A-League finals.
"There's a mixture of relief and obviously excitement," says goalkeeper Oli Sail. "Everyone's buzzing for the occasion."
Fair to say, it's been a long time coming.
"There are guys that have never been to New Zealand that are currently here with the squad, that we signed this season," said head coach Ufuk Talay. "It's something new to them.
"It's a privilege for those young boys to get to experience this," added Sail. "The excitement is definitely building."
If all goes to plan, the team can expect similar scenes that greeted their 2021 homecoming - where a record 24,105 fans turned out at Wellington for a 3-0 victory over Western United.
"This game is nothing without the supporters," added Talay.
More than 15,000 of them are expected on Sunday and they'll play an important role.
With the team arriving home on the back of consecutive wins, the next two matches at Wellington and Auckland will have a massive impact for the sixth-placed Phoenix.
"It's gonna lift us and, hopefully, it's the push we need to push for that top four," added Sail.
Sunday's match against Central Coast Mariners won't be easy. When the two sides met just over a week ago, the Phoenix were pummeled 5-0.
"We owe them one, we owe them a big one," Sail said.
"I wanted to make sure the boys got back, and could actually catch up with their family and friends," Talay added. "But at the same time, they know we're here to do a job."
All going well, that job could see the Phoenix return home again, come playoffs time.
