SINGAPORE -- Perhaps things genuinely are now different in Singaporean football.
Down in the doldrums for over a decade, with their last title dating back to the 2012 ASEAN Championship, Singapore were often subject to criticism and vitriol -- even ridicule -- from the average supporter whenever things were not going well.
But on Saturday, as the Lions found themselves three goals down at home to Thailand after 51 minutes of their ASEAN Championship semifinal first leg, their fans did not turn on them.
Singapore coach Gavin Lee even mused that it was probably a foreign experience for his players.
The Lions faithful at Jalan Besar Stadium, all 5,385 of them minus the minority contingent of away supporters, continued to sing and encourage their team on.
They would eventually be given something to really cheer for when Ilhan Fandi -- who came on as a halftime substitute in line with Lee's regular rotation of him and Shawal Anuar as the spearhead -- produced a superb curling strike from the edge of the box in the 84th minute.
A lifeline for the Lions -- despite the 3-1 loss -- to take to Bangkok for Tuesday's return encounter at Rajamangala Stadium.
At his post-match news conference, Lee revealed that the message that had just been conveyed in the dressing room was that, if the fans did not give up right until the end, then the team should not lose hope that they can still find a way back in the second leg.
The sentiment was echoed by Ilhan after the match, as he looks to draw inspiration from their spirit heading to Thailand.
"Credit to the fans, they were amazing," Ilhan told ESPN. "They didn't give up and we are not going to give up as well.
"It's not over. It's [basically] 2-0 now and halftime [in the tie].
"I believe in the boys. We are a team that never gives up. If the fans didn't give up here today, why should we?
"We're going to give it our all, I'm going to all out and try my best, because I really want to take Singapore to the final, and inshallah."
Ultimately, the Lions contributed to their own downfall, which neither Lee nor Ilhan shied away from.
Losing possession inside their own half led to an incisive move that brought about Thailand's opener through Teerasak Poeiphimai in the 12th minute.
Teerasak would score again 14 minutes later via a counterattack when he was somehow left completely unmarked inside the box to head home Waris Choolthong's right-wing cross, before Seksan Ratree scored the visitors' third in the 51st minute after being allowed to venture unopposed into the opposition area to convert Patrik Gustavsson's assist.
The fact that Thailand only had 28% of possession and were still largely untroubled highlighted just how clinical and effective their display was, but also how the hosts could perhaps have been more productive with the ball.
"I think we started alright in the first ten, 12 minutes," Ilhan said. "And then I think we gave them a lot of confidence when we lost the ball easily.
"And when you take things for granted, like holding the ball too long, I think -- against a team like Thailand -- they will punish you.
"We know from before that Thailand are a quality side that are well-coached under coach Anthony [Hudson].
"I think, for the majority of the game, we did alright -- but we have to do better.
"We have to go out there in Rajamangala to fight for two goals, and hopefully qualify for the final."
Ilhan was a constant threat following his introduction, even if he feels he might even have done more. Singapore also spurned a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the first half when Shawal had a penalty brilliantly saved by Thailand goalkeeper Kampol Pathomakkakul.
But as the Lions have already shown in the group-stage battling to draws against similarly-formidable opposition in Vietnam and Indonesia, they leave everything out on the pitch -- and that is perhaps why they now have plenty of fans onboard in triumph, and even in defeat.
Ilhan believes this fight could be the difference come Tuesday.
"I'm just [one of the] players. I try and do my best," he added.
"I'm very disappointed. I wish I could have helped the team a bit more, score a bit more so that, when we go out there in Rajamangala, it's a bit easier for us. But of course, we know this tournament is not easy.
"We like the challenge. We're going to go out there and fight. I think it's all about fighting in Rajamangala. It's not about tactics or whatever.
"It's about who wants it more, and I believe in my team. We know what we're capable of doing, and you guys could see in the last 20, 30 minutes, we tried to push on.
"We believe in ourselves. We'll go back, see what did wrong, and take on Rajamangala."