The players starting their semi-final second leg against South Korean club FC Seoul on Wednesday will probably be in their career-best condition. Coach Tony Popovic has trimmed down his already lean squad to extract as much pace from the players as possible. The goal is to build one of the quickest squads in the competition by increasing each player's power-to-weight ratio while also minimising injuries through less stress placed on joints.

The players went through high workloads in the heat of Dubai during a 10-day training camp while also adhering to individually tailored fitness and dietary programs. Although the A-League season is yet to begin, the targets have already been reached.

Wanderers forward Labinot Haliti was always one of the A-League's slimmest and quickest players but never in his adult life has he weighed as little as he does now. Despite standing at 184 centimetres, he weighs only 74.5 kilograms, nearly two kilograms less than when he joined the club in 2012 and a kilogram lighter than at this stage last year.

"My weight is about 74.5, I haven't been that close ever before so it's thebest ever," Haliti said.

"I can last games, I can train with intensity, it's my best weight and Iwant to keep it."

He is one of many players enjoying  career-best weight and fitness levels achieved through as much on the training ground as off it. Diets, recovery work and  even sleep patterns are being monitored by coaches as closely as they watch performances during training sessions.

"I'm changing in a good way on and off the field and it's a credit to him [Popovic], and I hope I can repay him," Haliti said. "For me it's great, I've never been at this weight before.

"As you get older, you have to look after yourself better. It's not just about eating right, but also sleeping right and doing hot and cold ice baths as well."

The ambitious weight-loss drive at the Wanderers  highlights the club's determination to succeed, and the players are confident of keeping up with the finely tuned FC Seoul.

"I haven't gotten many games behind my belt but training-wise this is the best I've ever felt," Haliti said. "Physically I know I'm able to do it and my body can handle it."

The heavy training program also applies to the goalkeepers who have had to slim down further to increase their own reflexes, pace and performance. "I don't think any of us have had a coach that wants us to thin down and wants that weight a little bit sharper," Ante Covic said. "Everyone listens to that, whether that's eating and doing the right things away from football."