Commentary: Singapore’s AFF Cup elimination was painful, but how we lost hurt even more

Create the best possible scenarios for the Lions: Provide the best pitches, blood the right youngsters, prepare in ideal conditions.

Ikhsan’s younger brother Ilhan had deputised admirably, before an injury during the Vietnam match cut short his tournament. As was the case with Ikhsan, the injury was suffered on the Jalan Besar Stadium’s artificial turf, an issue which football authorities need to look into.

The Lions headed to Japan for a training camp prior to the tournament. Was the location ideal given that the wintery weather was a far cry to the humidity of Southeast Asia?

Create the best possible environment for the fans: Communicate strategies consistently, take constructive criticism seriously, hear their concerns clearly.

If this can’t be done, then we might just as well accept that footballing greatness will continue to elude Singapore.

But if the Lions can win over hearts as they did not too long ago, Singapore will be back on the road to success even before they start winning on the pitch.

For now, the scars of this defeat will linger – for both the local footballing fraternity and Singapore’s die-hard fans.

Matthew Mohan is a senior journalist at CNA. He specialises in sports reporting, and has covered the Olympics, World Cup, and a number of Southeast Asian Games.