On a football pitch east of Melbourne the players of greet each other with hugs and handshakes, but it's not long before the business of training gets underway.
It's a football club for Afghan refugees, established to give purpose and direction to those emerging from chaos.
The man who started it, Zakarya Shojaie found his players on the streets of Dandenong.
"They were teenage boys with no parents, they don't have any hope for their life. Someone should support them and show them the right way. I took that responsibility."
Most of the players are teenage refugees who'd lost their homes, their parents, and their identities.
Using his own money, Shojaie created a new place for them to belong.
"Some times I make joke with them and I say you are my sons. I help them a lot because it's a good thing for their life."
Since 2013, Shojaie said over 50 young lives have been improved by Afghan Victory FC.
Afghan Victory captain Ahmed Hassani and player Mahdi Mahmoodi Source: SBS
One of those is Mahdi Mahmoodi.
Arriving in Australia four years ago, with no family and no friends, the team has given him the life he'd always hoped for.
"It is like my second home. Especially me I have anyone here, no family here. This is my family. We support each other and we help each other," he said.
Assistant coach Ali Jaan said the team has given the players something to work for every week.
He said the occupation of training and competing has not just given the players something to strive for, but also helped them avoid falling into crime and drug use.
"You don't get the time to hang around and do something stupid. This is not just sport, they're using their time for a good thing and we really need support for them."
A local law firm providing support in the way of uniforms.
Abode Migration Lawyers knows the history and hardships of Afghan refugees better than most.
Founder Zakarya Shokaie and Abode Migration Lawyer Gerard Gleeson Source: SBS
Lawyer Gerard Gleeson said the firm is doing what it can to support the club.
"Most of these people arrived by boat from Indonesia, most of these people have had members of their family murdered by the Taliban. They've got nowhere to go they need a help up."
But much more help is needed.
For four years Zakarya Shojaie has invested over a third of his own earnings to fund the Afghan Victory football club, but a month ago he was retrenched.
Shojaie has set up a to raise enough money to stay in operation for at least another year, but without a major sponsor the club faces an uncertain future.
Captain Ahmed Hassani said it would be devastating if they could no longer continue, as none of the players could afford to join mainstream clubs.
"If the club were to close it would be a shame, because it's not just club it's like family and we'd like to continue."
Afghan Victory FC in training Source: SBS
A family with big dreams of glory.
Zakarya Shojaie said most the team would like to represent their adopted country on the big stage with the Socceroos.
And he said he's going to continue to do all he can to give those dreams the best chance of coming true.
"These kids are playing and trying, and they hope some day to play for Australian national team, the Socceroos, it is their wishes."
