SINGAPORE -- Before Tuesday, it had been over four full months since Singapore were last in action.
It just so happens that most-recent outing was that fateful evening in Kowloon last November, when the Lions pulled off a now-famous victory over Hong Kong which sealed AFC Asian Cup qualification on merit for the first time -- having only previously featured as hosts in 1984.
Upon that feat, Singapore arrived to a heroes' welcome at Changi Airport but it was only on Tuesday that they finally returned for their on-pitch homecoming at the National Stadium.
There was still the matter of a match to be played -- even though it was a dead rubber given it was already confirmed that only Singapore would be the only team advancing from Group C.
They would ultimately finish their campaign on a positive note -- grinding out a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh to sign off from the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers with an impressive unbeaten record of four wins and two draws.
But in all honesty, and by Lions coach Gavin Lee's own admission, it was hardly a performance that gave the 30,105 much to cheer about.
"I think, first and foremost, we got a good result but not a good performance," said Lee in his post-match news conference. "I think all the boys know.
"Despite us having a clean sheet and finishing the campaign unbeaten, we're definitely not satisfied with the performance."
Then again, the evening was never just about a win or loss against Bangladesh. Especially for the Singapore faithful.
They had ridden the rollercoaster that Singaporean football often puts them through. Tuesday, regardless of the result, was their deserving opportunity to celebrate after sticking by the team through thick and thin.
And, perhaps unsurprisingly given the magnitude of the achievement, the Football Association of Singapore also went all out in amplifying the celebratory mood.
The players took to the field earlier than usual for their warmup to accommodate a whole lineup of pre-match activities.
Throughout the evening, there were pyrotechnics and laser displays.
A dramatic video montage of all the best moments from Singapore's previous five qualifiers was followed by a short film specially commissioned by FAS that depicted Lee in his childhood right at the start of his footballing dreams -- before fast-forwarding into a reenactment of him as an adult giving the revved-up pep talk in the bowels of Kai Tak Sports Park that inspired the victory over Hong Kong.
Tapping further on the nationalistic fervour that embodied the night, a hush then descended upon Kallang as local singer Shazza serenaded them with "Home" -- the theme song for Singapore's National Day in 1998 that has since become a favourite synonymous with the nation.
There was a halftime performance by another homegrown artiste in Iman Fandi -- herself part of footballing royalty as the only daughter of the Lions' favourite son Fandi Ahmad. Three of her brothers -- Irfan, Ikhsan and Ilhan -- all took to the field against Bangladesh.
It almost felt less like a football match and more a spectacle but, then again, maybe it truly was. Evidently, it is not every day that Singapore qualify for the Asian Cup.
There was, nonetheless, at least one roar on the night purely ignited by the football.
A brilliant piece of play in defence by Irfan saw him make an interception and burst forward before spreading a visionary past out left to Glenn Kweh, who in turn tore down the wing and into the area before firing away a low shot.
The attempt was thwarted by opposition goalkeeper Mitul Marma but as the ball looped into the air, Ikhsan's attempt to control the rebound inadvertently helped it into the path of Harhys Stewart -- who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner for the only goal of the contest, as well as his first for the Lions.
It was a rare reminder from this game of what Singapore do look like when they are at their flowing best. To Lee's credit, he did not shy away from the fact that they did not show much of it against Bangladesh.
But perhaps that time will eventually come. There is the ASEAN Championship on the horizon and then the Asian Cup next January.
The Lions will need to perform better at those tournaments and Lee will focus on that from Wednesday.
On Tuesday, it was Singapore's long-awaited homecoming as an Asian Cup team. They, and the fans, deserved a big celebration -- and they got it.
Even if the fireworks only came after the final whistle.