Like a star player in the twilight of their career, a final burst of sunlight illuminates Olympic Village before evening descends.
Another presence is lighting up the Heidelberg United clubroom, but it isn’t the 25kg FFA Cup trophy.
Rather, it’s Kostas Katsouranis, European Championship winner and World Cup captain, attracting his own orbit as club staff, fans and media flock to greet him.
Next to him, coach George Katsakis beams with pride. His club has pulled off a coup to capture the imagination of the Australian footballing public.
“It’s every coaches’ dream at this level,” Katsakis explained.
“I think having someone of Kostas’ calibre to play at grassroots football is something that as a club you aspire to, but more importantly as a coach gives the opportunity to work with a professional and see how things are done at the level. I’m ecstatic to be honest.
“There’s a buzz around the club, you can see from here that everyone’s excited and I think the players are in the same boat, I think it gives them an opportunity as much as it gives us to see Kosta, to play alongside a professional and someone who has probably achieved every possible achievement in football.”
The signing was orchestrated by club juniors president Harry Tsalikidis, who has contacts in Greece. “The rest is history,” Katsakis says.
Maybe it’s the jetlag, maybe the concise translations from interpreter Yiannis Kotsis, or just his unassuming character, but Katsouranis gives little away in the press conference.
Is this his first time to Australia? “No, once before.”
Are there any other reasons for his Heidelberg stint besides the FFA Cup? “No.”
Does he harbour plans to return to a professional level? “It’s difficult.”
Throughout the 12 minute interview, most of the English comes from Kotsis, Katsouranis’ close associate and former Greek national team sports scientist.
“Australia is very good, it’s a very good country,” he says.
“The [Australian] National team is a very good team, as seen in the last World Cups.
“He’s very happy to be here, when you’re ending your career, this is a wonderful opportunity to come especially because the Greek community is very large here.”
The man of the moment smiles, shrugs, nods. For someone with 116 caps of international experience, this attention is second nature.
But unlike Katsouranis’ nonchalant demeanour, Katsakis paces excitedly in his seat.
Training is set to follow these formalities, and he can’t wait to see his star attraction on the Olympic Village pitch for the first time in preparation for Tuesday’s quarter-final against Melbourne City.
“By his presence alone, you start to lift in confidence and that will give you the extra ammunition going into a game of this magnitute,” Katsakis says.
“But belief is one thing and putting things into practice is another, and I think what Kostas will bring to the table between now and next Tuesday will inspire the most of boys to lift another gear.
“I think that will transform onto the park come next Tuesday, and whilst there are two teams on the park, anything is possible.
If the Heidelberg faithful believed they could upset a Melbourne City side showing inconsistent form in both FFA Cup and pre-season friendlies, with Katsouranis at the helm they may just dare to dream a little more.
A lot will depend on his form and fitness. But at the moment, just the exposure and anticipation is reason enough to validate his appearance.