Jordan Emaviwe knew at the end of the match against India that he messed up.
Big time.
His fatal back pass from almost the centre of the pitch gifted their Group C 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers opponents India an equaliser and a share of the points in a match which Singapore should have won rather easily.
Especially given that the Lions’ the being down to 10-men from the 47th minute onwards after India’s Sandesh Jhingan was given his marching orders.
Emaviwe was seen covering his face with his hands as soon as the final whistle was blown, as he headed towards the bench, with Kyoga Nakamura seen consoling him as he trooped off.
What could have been a great night for Singapore football against a team ranked 134th in the world – more than 20 spots ahead of 158-ranked Singapore – ended up with even the most ardent Lions fans shaking their heads in disbelief.
Voices in unison after Ikhsan Fandi gave the Lions the lead almost at the end of the first half, there were sighs of disappointment at the end of the 90.
Lions interim coach Gavin Lee, who is expected to lead the Lions out for the last time in the following match against India in Goa on 14 October with a new national coach looking set to be named, conceded that the team did not take advantage of the extra man.
“We didn’t take further advantage of the extra man we had and unfortunately we allowed one action to determine the outcome and gloss over all the positive stuff that we did today.
“There were very good moments on (sic) many phases, but again we didn’t make it count at the end.”
Lee added his charges were “hurting for sure” and that the team will head to Goa “with extra fuel in our tank”.
“From tonight, we know what we are capable of.
“The thing is, can we go out there and make sure we do it for 95 minutes this time?
With Hong Kong now leading Group C following a victory over Bangladesh, the pressure would be on the Lions to aim for results in all their remaining matches.
With India away next and another away clash against Hong Kong to come, the Lions may now be at a disadvantage, but wins in all three remaining matches could still mean qualification.
The question would only be whether that is even a faint possibility.
“The window is not over,” Lee added.
“Ultimately, this is a fantastic test of our character as a team.
“If we think we are better than tonight’s result, our job is to go out there and prove it in more difficult conditions, to rise up to the challenge and show everybody who we are.”
MAIN PHOTO: YOUTUBE