As Hariss Harun went in for a tackle on Indonesia's Vendry Ronaldo Mofu in the eighth minute and crumbled to the ground in pain at Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Jalil stadium, Singapore's football fraternity believed they were seeing the Lions' hopes of winning the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup ripped apart right before their eyes.
Little did they know that a certain midfield destroyer, bearing the number four on his back, was already cracking his neck, ready to step up and calm the nerves of the entire nation.
His name? Isa Halim.
He was a product of the Woodlands Wellington FC Center of Excellence program under the guidance of his first coach, Hatta Ali. At the age of 19, when many of his peers were still fussing themselves with the latest video games and trends of the fashion world, Isa made his S.League debut with the Rams.
Speaking to ESPNFC, the midfielder still had a tinge of angst when he re-lived that pivotal moment of his international career.
"I remember back in 2012, when Hariss was ruled out of the tournament due to injury, one of the journalists wrote that our chances of winning the Suzuki Cup were over because his replacement Isa Halim is not as capable as Hariss. That statement hurt me but it also spurred me to go and prove that journalist wrong. I would've loved to stare that guy in his eyes on the night of the final when we lifted the cup in Bangkok."
Two years have passed since that memorable tournament when the Lions won a record fourth AFF Suzuki Cup title (their previous victories were in 1998, 2004 and 2007).
The former Home United FC player went on to claim the Malaysian Super League title with LionsXII in 2013 before being given the captain's armband this season under new coach Fandi Ahmad.
For this Suzuki Cup, Singapore will face Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar, managed by former Singapore head coach Raddy Avramovic. Having been told of the matches ahead, the normally serious Isa let out a huge laugh and declared, "What a group this is!"
Back to his serious self, Isa pointed out that Bernd Stange will have a fight on his hands to help Singapore retain the ASEAN title. He was quick to offer his thoughts on the dangers that lurk ahead.
The tough-tackling midfielder revealed his surprise when told that Thailand head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang had left out established stars like Datsakorn Thonglao and Teerasil Dangda from his 25-men preliminary squad. But he refused to buy into the fact that the latter will not play at the showpiece event later this month.
"I am really surprised that Kiatisuk did not call up Datsakorn," he said. "For me, despite his age, he is still pound-for-pound one of Southeast Asia's best defensive midfielders who can dictate the tempo of the game. But knowing the Thais, they have so many good youngsters coming through every year, you are bound to see another player rise to the occasion and become a key player for them."
Even though he still had suspicions that Teerasil -- who plies his trade with UD Almeria in Spain's La Liga -- might be called up last minute, Isa warned of the other players within the Thai squad who can hurt the Lions' chances of defending their ASEAN crown.
"I am still not convinced that Teerasil will not be playing at the Suzuki Cup. Maybe his European club commitments are the issue, otherwise, there is no better Thai striker than him at the moment. Singapore still have to be very careful of Chanathip [Songkrasin] and Kirati [Keawsombut] who have what it takes to create problems for our defence."
As for the other thing to watch out for in Group B for Stange and the Lions, Isa responded with a single word: "Raddy."
The Serbian tactician was instrumental in guiding Singapore to three ASEAN titles in 2004, 2007 and 2012. Avramovic, who gave Isa his national team debut against Cambodia in 2005, took over as Myanmar head coach from Sann Win in September 2013.
He declared: "Raddy knows the Singapore team inside out. Having played under him for nine years, I know that he is very detailed and that he plays to his team's strength instead of altering a game plan to match the opponents. Myanmar have progressed a lot in the last few years and the youngsters who played at the 2012 tournament will now be ready to show their full potential so they are a dangerous team for us."
The hard man was only too happy to recount that fateful night back on Dec. 22, 2012, when Avramovic led Singapore to their most recent ASEAN title, despite losing a tense second leg 1-0 at the Suphachalasai stadium.
"When they scored on the stroke of half-time, we went silent in the dressing room. There is always this omen where a team that scores just before half-time they will go on to win the game. Nothing needed to be said because we had a couple of veterans like Fahrudin Mustafic and Aleksandar Duric who gave the confidence and experience that we can get the job done in the second half. Raddy was the calmest but then again, he is always calm, but I am sure he was panicking inside. Yet he hid it to take away our nerves!"
As for his own chances of making it to the 2014 edition, Isa -- who's recently returned to fitness after an Achilles tendon operation -- shook his head with that same sense of determination that mark his performances on the pitch.
He said: "As a senior player for Singapore, I have no right to demand to walk back into the national team just because I have won the Suzuki Cup before. You are only as good as the last game you played so I have no complaints. But I am determined to fight back and force my way back into the squad whether it is in time for the Suzuki Cup or not."
With 53 caps for Singapore and two ASEAN winners' medals in the bag, the 28-year-old midfield general will never back down from a fight.
The question is, will he get another shot on the international stage?