Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond believes balance is the key to his side taking the points against Beijing Guoan on Wednesday in the Asian Champions League.
The Jets require a win to put their case forward to qualify for the next phase but van Egmond knows their plan may come unstuck if they don't get that perfect balance of defence and attack.
"We have to win, absolutely," he said.
"We need to take the initiative from the very beginning but we also have to be reasonably savvy to make sure we don't get caught in a counter-attack.
"It is a balancing act in that we must try to win the ball high up in the field but we have to be careful not to expose ourselves in a break.
"It will be a fine line but I'm confident. And it will be interesting to see what tactics they will employ. If they draw or lose the game it would not do them much good either."