"Brave" is the word that Singapore midfielder Safuwan Baharudin used to describe the Lions' 3-1 defeat away to Bahrain in an international friendly on Thursday night.
The Singapore squad returned home late on Friday from their Suzuki Cup warm up match at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa.
Once again, Safuwan showed his knack for scoring in every competition he plays in, providing the equaliser that allowed Singapore to go to half-time on level terms. But, ultimately, it proved to be in vain as V. Sundramoorthy's men fell to a third consecutive defeat.
"I think it was a brave effort away from home, in very hot temperatures," Safuwan told ESPN FC. "I think it was around 35 or 36 degrees when the game kicked off.
"Overall, I think it was a good effort because we gave a really good fight against them."
Bahrain are 33 spots above Singapore in the FIFA rankings, and will join the Lions in the third round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying, beginning next year. They came close to making the 2006 World Cup in Germany before losing a play off against Trinidad and Tobago.
Singapore did well to hang with the Gulf nation, who were awarded three penalties in Thursday night's game. The first was conceded after 10 minutes by Johor Darul Ta'zim defender Baihakki Khaizan.
But Baihakki made amends when he set up Safuwan's equaliser. His long pass from the left hand side saw Safuwan produce a trademark header to leave Bahrain goalkeeper Abbas Ahmed stranded.
It was the 24-year-old's seventh international goal in his 61st appearance.
However, the former Melbourne City utility player turned villain five minute after half-time when he was adjudged to have used his hand from a corner, leading to a second penalty. Then, his former LionsXII teammate Madhu Mohana gave away a third penalty, with a minute to go, that saw Latiff convert from the spot.
"Three penalties against us... it's certainly not what we wanted," Safuwan reflected.
"But credit to the boys, it was a decent away performance."
Singapore's next friendly international is at the Sports Hub on Oct. 7 when they play Malaysia in the Causeway Challenge.
Safuwan, who is a midfielder for Malaysia Super League side PDRM FA, could potentially face one or two of his club teammates.
Singapore will be in Group A at November's Suzuki Cup, along with co-hosts Philippines, defending champions Thailand, and Indonesia.