After a nightmarish opening 18 minutes at Pathum Thani Stadium, BG Tampines Rovers will simply be content that they remain well and truly alive in their AFC Champions League Two quarterfinal against Bangkok United.
A 2-1 away loss on Thursday means that there is still everything to play for in next week's return encounter at Jalan Besar Stadium and, yet, if the opening exchanges were anything to go by, few might have imagined the Singapore Premier League's representatives would still be in a position to challenge for a spot in the last four.
It started in the 11th minute when there seemed to be no apparent danger as a cross was swung into the box by Ilias Alhaft, only for Stags goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari to spill a routine catch.
Reacting quickest, Picha Autra guided the ball towards goal -- where Nebojša Kosović was on hand to force it over the line despite the best efforts of a covering Shuya Yamashita to keep it out.
A near-carbon copy of that piece of play almost led to a second for the hosts just four minutes later. Picha was once again the beneficiary of another flap by Syazwan but, this time, Yamashita was able to clear off the line.
Nonetheless, Bangkok United would soon double their lead in the 18th minute and, if Tampines had not already been generous enough with the opening goal, this was simply charity.
As they looked to play their way out from a goal-kick, Syazwan received possession back after an exchange of passes with Jacob Mahler and Yamashita and then decided Seiga Sumi -- with his back towards the play -- was the ideal next recipient.
In a flash, Picha immediately put the Japanese midfielder under pressure and nipped in ahead to win possession, where he was then left with plenty of the goal to aim for as he rifled home to make it 2-0.
At this stage, BUFC were completely in control but after halftime, whether it was through a lift in Tampines' intensity or a bit of complacency creeping in for the Thai League 1 outfit, the complexion of the game began to turn.
It certainly did not help the hosts that livewire Picha had to come off due to injury just nine minutes after the restart. Pokklaw Anan, who had been thriving as the deepest of Bangkok United's midfield trio, was also stretchered off in the 71st minute.
Then, it was Bangkok United's turn to have a horror show of their own. Or rather, just one of them in particular.
As he received possession from centre-back partner Everton, Philipe Maia looked to be under no pressure but a slight delay in releasing the ball soon saw him closed down by Trent Buhagiar.
Proceeding to charge down Maia's attempted pass forward, Buhagiar was left with a clear path to advance on goal -- where he kept his composure to coolly slide a shot into the bottom corner.
Incredibly, a minute later, more hesitant play from Maia looked set to allow Hide Higashikawa to break through -- prompting the Brazilian to cynically scythe the latter down in a panic.
There would have definitely been a case for Maia to receive a straight red.
But, considering he was already on a yellow, referee Ryo Tanimoto did not have to ponder too much as he had the more-straightforward task of issuing a second booking for the same outcome: an early shower that left Bangkok United a player down for the remaining nine minutes of regulation time and anything extra.
They were ultimately able to hang on.
Tampines had one final decent opening when Yuki Kobayashi's probing pass released Glenn Kweh, but the Singapore international's attempt to sneak one in at the near post -- after a clever fake freed up space inside the area -- was smothered by Patiwat Khammai when he perhaps should have gone for the far side.
It meant that the Stags will still head back to Singapore with a deficit to overcome in seven days' time.
Yet, after a dreadful start to the first leg, Tampines could have easily found themselves in a far-worse predicament.
At least, they still have a lifeline.
