Five days ago, Singapore looked destined to claim three valuable points against India on home soil in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Claiming the lead just before the break and with their opponents playing almost the entire second half with a numerical deficit, the Lions somehow contrived to throw away the win -- with a costly mistake gifting India a 90th-minute equaliser against the run of play to leave both sides having to settle for a share of the spoils.
On Tuesday, as the two teams renewed acquaintances -- this time at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa -- that draw looked set to be costly for Singapore as it was India, on this occasion, who emerged as the dominant side for the majority of the contest.
But, with a plucky display, the visitors would exact some revenge on India as they smashed and grabbed their way to a 2-1 victory that seemed extremely unlikely on the balance of play in the opening 45, as well as extended periods in the second half.
It was India's turn to spurn a host of excellent opportunities as they failed to build on a lead handed to them by Lallianzuala Chhangte's stunning effort.
And while it certainly was not as dramatic or desperate as the way India snatched a point with ten men last week, Singapore deserve equal -- if not more -- credit given the fact they managed to come from behind and claim not just a draw but a victory -- courtesy of a clinical Song Ui-Young double -- which has put them firmly back in contention for a place at the Asian Cup.
With just the top team progressing to the tournament, Hong Kong's shock 1-1 draw at home to Bangladesh earlier in the day paved the way for Singapore to move level with them on eight points at the Group C summit.
Given Singapore will travel to play Hong Kong in November before finishing their campaign at home to already-eliminated Bangladesh next March, their fate in making history -- in qualifying for the Asian Cup on merit for the first time given their previous appearance in 1984 came as the host nation -- is now firmly in their own hands.
Yet, it hardly looked like it would be the case early on in Tuesday's tie.
With his team floundering in their own qualifying bid after picking just just two points from three matches, India coach Khalid Jamil vowed to go on "attack mode" right from the opening whistle in Monday's pre-match news conference.
His charges duly delivered -- and it was not just through their forays forward that were brimming with intent in an offensive minded 4-4-2, which was, at times, effectively a 4-2-4 as wingers Chhangte and Liston Colaço stayed high alongside Sunil Chhetri and the slightly-withdrawn Mahesh Singh Naorem.
When they were not in possession, India looked to spring the trap with their high press and it was working wonders early on as the visitors looked lost at sea.
It hardly helped that Singapore were adamant on playing their way out from the back. It only served to invite more pressure as they constantly returned possession to the Blue Tigers deep inside their own half -- and it was one such instance which led to the opener.
After being played into a spot of bother by a pass from his own teammate, Safuwan Baharudin would rush an attempted clearance on the half-turn but could only send it straight to Chhangte.
Still, there appeared to be no immediate danger as the Mumbai City star advanced forward while assessing his options -- only to then decide to unleash a stunning drive, especially coming on his non-preferred right foot, from almost all of 30 yards that had Izwan Mahbud beaten all ends up.
Three minutes later, more haphazard play by Singapore in their own area presented the hosts with another opening -- the usually-unflustered Kyoga Nakamura the next culprit to hand possession directly to Lalengmawia Ralte, who let the opposition off with a wild effort that was crying out for Chhangte's composure and technique.
Safuwan then had to come to the Lions' rescue in the 29th minute after their defence was once again completely exposed, this time via an India break down the left. But, as Colaço's eyes lit up after Chhangte's cross took out almost the entire opposition defence -- including goalkeeper Izwan -- out of the equation, a recovering Safuwan was perfectly placed to clear his low drive off the line.
Just as Singapore were left to rue failing to make the most of their dominance last Thursday, it was India's turn to suffer similar punishment a minute before the break. And despite the Lions' insistence on adopting a modern passing game, there is also value in playing to one's strengths.
No surprise then that, with a focal point in attack like Ikhsan Fandi a constant presence in the opposition area, some old-school direct football led to the equaliser.
As Irfan Najeeb swung a looping cross in from the right, India centre-back Rahul Bheke -- in a determined attempt to prevent it from reaching Ikhsan -- could only divert the ball back towards a dangerous area as it ricocheted off his shoulder.
Pouncing on it, Glenn Kweh could have been forgiven for trying his luck but, unselfishly, he instead laid it off to an open Song, who managed to squeeze his shot through a crowded six-yard box and beyond Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's despairing dive exactly into the bottom corner.
Two minutes before the hour mark, route one worked again as the visitors suddenly turned the tie on its head.
A quick break saw the ball booted forward to Ikhsan, who was once again performing his lone striker role admirably despite limited service and having to toil up front on his own, outnumbered for the most part.
Holding the ball up well, he would then feed in Shawal Anuar, who -- like Kweh -- made the savvy decision in squaring the ball to the other side of the box when he easily could have had a go on his own.
Somehow, like before, there stood Song completely unmarked -- highlighting the valuable box-to-box presence he provides for Singapore that was sorely missed in last year's ASEAN Championship, which ended in a valiant semifinal exit.
If Song's first goal was all about precision, there was nothing delicate about his second. With plenty of the goal to aim for, the Lion City Sailors dynamo opted for sheer power -- and succeeded in forcing another effort past Gurpreet at the near post.
Now remarkably in possession of the lead so early in the second half, it was Singapore's turn to try and frustrate their more-dominant opponents.
Two towering defensive-minded players soon came on in Lionel Tan and Jacob Mahler, although the latter slotted into midfield as the equally-imposing Harhys Stewart slotted in at left-back -- with the Lions back four now boasting an average height of 1.83 metres, and that is before considering the fact that captain Hariss Harun is a far-stronger aerial presence that his 1.78-metre frame might suggest.
It seemed to do the trick with India looking increasingly desperate as the contest entered its closing stages, even resorting to high balls of their own which were dealt with by the visitors -- even if it was not always convincing.
The Blue Tigers had one final chance in the fifth minute of injury time as Udanta Singh burst down the right and lofted a ball to the back post.
Just as Danish Farooq Bhat looked destined to connect from close range, Tan did what he was brought on to do -- weighing in with a brave headed clearance with his back to the opponent just underneath the crossbar to secure what originally seemed an unlikely, but ultimately crucial, victory for Singapore.
One that has them firmly back in contention the reclaim their place among the continent's elite after over a four-decade absence.