The seven-time S.League champions overcame Indonesia’s PSMS Medan 2-1 in the East Asian play-off to become the first Singaporean team to qualify for the continental competition.

Ahmad Latiff’s powerful finish nine minutes into the first period of extra-time settled the contest at Jalan Besar Stadium after Therdsak Chaiman’s 36th minute opener was cancelled out by Mario Costas six minutes after the break.

The Warriors will now face Kashima Antlers, Suwon Bluewings and Shanghai Shenhua in Group G and Bok underlined it will be a challenge unlike any they have previously encountered.

"It is definitely going to be tough because we will be up against the J.League and K-League champions and Shanghai Shenhua so the boys will have to step up and raise their game," he said.

“But we will try to play football the way the team is used to playing and we will not be looking to play a defensive game in the group stage.”

Bok admitted even some of his senior players were nervous but singled out Therdsak Chaiman and Masahiro Fukasawa for praise as their experience proved vital to the victory.

"We made things a little difficult for ourselves a few times tonight and let PSMS come back strongly in the second-half," he added.

“But I was pleased with the performance.”

PSMS saw any hope of a fight back extinguished when substitute Octavianus Maniani and Edi Sukamoto were sent-off shortly after Latiff’s winner. Coach Liestiadi Lo was particularly disappointed with the decision to dismiss Octavianus.

"The second sending off was okay but I am not too happy about the first involving Octavianus," he said.

“Also, the fact many of my players were still adapting to the artificial pitch also contributed to the defeat but we performed better than we have in our domestic league.”

Despite missing out on joining compatriots Sriwijaya in the AFC Champions League, PSMS have the consolation of becoming the first Indonesian side to take part in the AFC Cup, something Liestiadi believes will still prove beneficial.

"We will take this as an opportunity for the players to gain more experience playing against other Asian club sides," he concluded.