Singapore and China headed into the game in contrasting moods, with the Lions buoyed by a 2-2 comeback draw at the National Stadium last Thursday. Their opponents, on the other hand, were widely criticised following the result.

Captain Zhang Linpeng had even said he would quit international football over the “humiliating” result, before making a retirement U-turn. 

In chilly Tianjin, Singapore were without three members of Thursday’s starting 11, with Safuwan Baharudin and Lionel Tan missing through suspension and midfielder Anumanthan Kumar absent due to injury.

Branko Ivankovic’s men looked like a side determined to make amends as The Lions struggled to keep possession.