Hariss Harun says Singapore's second-half performance in their friendly against Afghanistan will give them confidence for their upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bahrain.
The Lions begin their Group E campaign in Riffa on Tuesday night on the back of a 2-1 defeat to the Afghans on neutral soil in Doha on Thursday night.
Singapore did well to claw their way back into the game after conceding an early goal when Shawal Anuar equalised just after half-time.
But some ragged defensive play allowed the West Asian side to score the winner through Mustafa Azadoy in the 57th minute.
"We showed in the second half that we can compete against stronger teams," Hariss told The New Paper.
"But, at the end of the day, we need to have an end product to show for our efforts.
"If we can score a couple of goals, we will stand a chance."
Johor Darul Ta'zim midfielder Hariss put in a strong shift in midfield, despite the collapse of his loan deal to Spain that has deprived him of a match action and saw him move, for now, to Home United.
Coach V. Sundramoorthy resisted the urge to push Hariss further forward to allow the 26-year-old to find his feet again, as he protected the back four.
"Considering our opponents and how I may lack match fitness, it is probably the right move," Hariss said.
"In previous teams, Izzdin [Shafiq] or Anumanthan [Mohan Kumar] would be the deeper-lying midfielder, but I have no problems in this role, too."
Hariss agreed that Singapore will only get a result against Bahrain -- they've lost all six previous matches to the powerful Middle Eastern side -- if they show more poise in pressure situation at the back.
"The international level is different from the S.League and we will need to learn fast how to adapt," he said.
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"We can't keep conceding early or late goals, otherwise it is going to cost us."
Chinese Taipei host Turkmenistan in the other Group B match, played in Taipei on Sunday.
Singapore will next play home matches against Chinese Taipei (June 13) and Turkmenistan (Sept. 5).
The city state last played in the Asian Cup in 1984 when they hosts, winning one, drawing one and losing two matches.