And despite a remarkable draw, there is more work to be done, said Ogura.

He told reporters after the game that he was not satisfied with the result and that Singapore could have won.

“Please don’t say congratulations,” he added.

Singapore had lost their first two matches in their qualifying group last November, with a 3-1 loss to Thailand and a 5-0 drubbing by South Korea.

But this was a much tighter affair.

And it was a different team, thanks to Ogura. While he said that he was no “magician”, he has clearly worked some wizardry.

Close to 70 places higher in the world rankings at 88, China dominated proceedings from the off. 

And with just 10 minutes played, striker Wu Lei capitalised on a pocket of space in the box to head home.