On Saturday, the main talking point of Thailand's 3-1 win over Singapore in the first leg of their ASEAN Championship semifinal should simply have been about how a scintillating display by the visitors -- despite having only 28% of possession -- saw them put one foot in the decider, and take a step closer to a record-extending eighth title.
Instead, plenty of the headlines instead centred on some unsavoury scenes at the final whistle, as Thailand coach Anthony Hudson initially appeared to approach his Singapore counterpart Gavin Lee for a customary handshake before it soon evolved into a confrontation.
There was nothing overly aggressive although a Thailand staff member eventually stepped in to separate them, before Football Association of Singapore deputy president Desmond Ong sent a few words back Hudson's way.
While he briefly brushed off the incident on Saturday, Hudson was asked about it again in Monday's -- and was more introspective about the way he carried himself, even if he believes it was still just something that happens in the sport.
"Football is an emotional game," said Hudson. "Football without emotion is nothing. I'm a very passionate person.
"I have the utmost respect for Gavin, for the [Singapore] players -- I think they've done an amazing job.
"I think it just got blown really out of proportion. During the game, there were several situations that took place that made myself and the staff a little bit frustrated.
"If I give the example on the penalty [that Singapore were awarded], the throw-in [that led to it and other similar situations where it] was happening quite a lot, I think the ball was in the player's hands for 14, 15 seconds. Obviously, we've come into the tournament with the rules pretty clear on these things.
"A lot of things like that were happening. I went over at the end just to basically ask why [they] need to do things like that [when they're] a really good team. I think, just because of the emotion, people got involved but, for me, the situation is over. I repeat: I have nothing but respect for the coach and the team.
"When I woke up in the morning and saw the videos [of the incident], I was very embarrassed. Why did I do that?
"Then we landed at the airport yesterday, I facetimed by mom. She didn't even say well done on the result. The first thing she said was 'why on earth did you do what you did at the end of the game?' So I did feel bad about that situation."
With his own news conference taking place later in the afternoon, Lee was informed of Hudson's comments and agreed that emotion was all part of the game while giving his side of the story.
"Football is an emotional game," said Lee. "Sometimes you lose control of your emotions and that's what we try not to do.
"He came across and said a few things but that [Hudson's account of his comments to Lee] wasn't word-for-word what he said. That's a conversation between him and me. There's no need for other people to know that
"No problem. I think that one incident doesn't change our respect for him and the team. We respect them as our opposition but ultimately when we go across the white line it's about us doing our jobs.
"And whether or not someone took so long for the throw-in, I'm not the ref. Ultimately, he could ask some questions to the ref, not me."
Although Thailand's result was slightly tarnished by the incident, the fact remains that they are in a strong position for Tuesday's second leg -- although Hudson demands that they treat it as though the tie is still very much up for grabs.
"This is how we're approaching the game -- 0-0, new game, against a tough opponent and tomorrow night is our final," he explained.
"There will be no complacency going into this game and we have to approach this game like it's 0-0, starting [the match] with intensity and the absolute ambition to win this game.
"With regards to the squad, as I've said before, I feel very fortunate that we have a really good group of players that have worked so well since the first day of camp. They've given me a lot of confidence.
"I think that is an advantage that we can make some changes, so we will see a few players come in and freshen up the group, and with the players that come in, I don't expect to see a 1% drop in performance because I trust the group."