Young striker Zavon Hines found his feet in Beijing and wants that Far East experience to launch his bid for first-team action this season.
The 20-year-old Hines scored with virtually the last touch for West Ham United in the 2-0 win over hosts Beijing Guoan in the Barclays Asia Trophy and is hoping he has shown manager Gianfranco Zola exactly what he can do.
"It has been a good tournament to play in," Hines, who scored five goals in six games in pre-season last year before suffering a knee problem, told whufc.com. "The conditions were hard, but you just have to work harder to get through it all and I am sure this will show well for us come the new season.
"Last year, I had a good pre-season and then got the injury, but hopefully I can carry on this year and get through the season with no injuries and be involved as much as I can with the first team. I want to show the manager what I can do."
Hines completed the scoring after defender Danny Gabbidon had grabbed the first in the 80th minute as West Ham secured third place in the tournament.
"I don't remember too much about my goal to be honest," added Hines "It was a through-ball to me and I remember going one-on-one and the ball going through the keeper's legs. I was just happy to score and it was nice for us to end the tournament with a good match and win."
Reflecting on the tournament that started with a 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, Hines said: "The first game was not the best for us and we got the injury to Luis [Boa Morte] that we didn't want, but we played better football in the second match and I think the last few days we were more used to the conditions.
"It is good to play football in a completely different atmosphere and I am sure the fitness will show now we are back."
The team also got to visit the Great Wall of China when they had an afternoon of free time. "It was good to go there, something different. Although a bit tough on the legs, as there were so many steep steps. But it was a place that you can say you have visited."
Hines believes the trip to Beijing and, the one to Austria just before it, was also a good chance for the team to spend time together before the 2009/10 campaign kicks off on 15 August. The diminutive forward also revealed how the senior players in the squad had helped the younger members become part of the team.
"The trips have been good for team bonding. Everyone can spend time together as a squad, we got to know anyone new and just spend the time as a team on and off the pitch. It has been good to be around each other.
"The older and more senior boys really looked after us all well, making sure we were happy and OK. We get a bit of banter from them now and then, if you are not doing well in training, they will tell you. But it was really good to be there."
Now with the real business about to start, Hines has only one thing on his mind, scoring more goals and clinching a first-team place. He would love to be involved against SSC Napoli this weekend and then take it from there.
"My aim is at to be on the bench for the first team for the start if I can, but just to do my best in any game I play for West Ham United and go upwards from there."