SINGAPORE -- With a steady-if-unspectacular 2-0 win over Timor-Leste at Jalan Besar Stadium on Monday, Singapore maintained their perfect start to the 2026 ASEAN Championship.
They could not have asked for more than the maximum six points from their opening two outings. With Vietnam -- who were the other team victorious on the opening night of the tournament last Friday -- having a bye, the Lions are guaranteed to sit top of Group A at least until the next round of matches.
Maybe now, the ASEAN Championship -- officially known as the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup -- begins in earnest for Singapore.
That is not to be disrespectful to either Cambodia or Timor-Leste. The former, in particular, really gave Singapore a run for their money last week and only lost in heartbreaking fashion via their opponents' 101st-minute winner.
Likewise, Timor-Leste were far from pushovers even though the Lions always looked likely to emerge triumphant on Monday.
Having previously had a goal on the half-hour mark disallowed for offside, Ilhan Fandi would duly hand the hosts the breakthrough in the 41st minute -- making a clever off-the-ball run to create space to meet a tantalising left-wing cross by Nur Adam Abdullah with a fine glancing header into the bottom corner.
The same trick worked a treat again four minutes before the hour mark. This time, it was Kyoga Nakamura providing the delivery and Song Ui-Young the run and headed finish.
They arguably could have scored more, which was something coach Gavin Lee alluded to. They probably could have shown greater composure even in the build-up. And they were not without a couple of nervy moments when Timor-Leste threatened with their pace.
Yet, all that matters is that they have given themselves the best possible chance to finish in the top two and qualify for the semifinals -- ahead of their trip to Hanoi to play defending champions Vietnam on Friday, before enjoying a bye of their own and finishing the group stage at home against Indonesia on Aug. 7.
Not that Lee necessarily agrees that the real business is only starting now.
"Our tournament didn't start the day we played Cambodia," said Lee. "Our tournament started on June 23 when we started our preseason.
"Every step of the way we're always been looking to get better. We had good moments and bad moments and, as a team, we grow.
"In this competition, we'll continue to grow. That's the most important thing."
The Lions definitely showed growth from the away game against Cambodia to Monday's meeting with the Timorese. They were definitely more composed and clinical. They showed they were capable of owning some uncomfortable moments, which is what Lee wants to do see them do on a more consistent basis.
They will certainly get plenty of those against Vietnam. It will allow them to show how much more they can grow.
"Vietnam is not an easy test -- we know that," added Lee. "But no problem.
"We'll go there and play them to our very best. We'll have a plan and we'll try to execute."
It may be disingenuous to suggest that Singapore's ASEAN Championship begins now. The wins against Cambodia and Timor-Leste cannot be discounted. They are, after all, what has them sitting on top of Group A right now.
Maybe it is proving that they are capable of reaching the semifinals, or even being title contenders, that begins now.
They have beaten the teams they were expected to defeat. Now is time for Singapore to prove themselves against the bigger boys.