SINGAPORE -- Indonesia's unwanted record in the history of the ASEAN Championship is a familiar tale to anyone following Southeast Asian football.
Six times they have made it to the final, and six times they have finished runners-up. Being crowned champions of the region continues to elude Timnas.
The heartbreak that began in 2000 has carried all the way through to as recently as 2021.
As they usually are, Indonesia headed into the current tournament -- officially known as the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 -- as one of the favourites, and things were initially looking positive as they racked up 5-1 and 3-0 victories over Cambodia and Timor-Leste respectively.
However, they came crashing back to earth on Monday when they were handed an emphatic 3-0 loss by defending champions Vietnam -- in front of 27,265 of largely their own supporters on home soil in Bogor, no less.
The result leaves the Indonesians third in Group A on six points, one adrift of both Vietnam and Singapore.
On Friday, they take on Singapore knowing that anything less than victory would spell the end of their campaign -- and their latest bid to win the tournament for the first time.
For a side aiming to go all the way, elimination as early as the group stage would be an unthinkable prospect but Timnas coach John Herdman is backing his players to bounce back in their quest to make history.
"The opportunity to lift a first trophy for the country and become the first group to achieve that is an enormous source of passion, energy and motivation," replied Herdman, when asked by ESPN how much motivation winning a first ASEAN Championship would give to his side.
"The idea of being pioneers has been part of our message since the group came together. We know why we are here.
"There is no confusion about our objective. Should we fail, it will be extremely painful because these opportunities can slip through your fingers and may never return.
"That is why Singapore will face a wounded and hungry Indonesia team that will not take tomorrow's match lightly.
"Remaining calm means keeping your attention on the task, but we must also bring fire.
"We are a wounded team with something to prove, first to ourselves and then to everyone else. I believe we have ignited that fire within the group.
"The calmness comes from committing to a collective approach. We have built unity within the team, and everybody understands what is required. That is what being calm means: committing to the plan and trusting that we possess the ability to succeed.
"However, the fire must also be present."
Herdman did acknowledge that the ASEAN Championship was just one step in their long-term progress but still a crucial one, especially given he has largely called up a domestic-based squad given overseas clubs have not been obliged to release players.
"From a coach's perspective, qualifying for the 2030 FIFA World Cup is the ultimate objective for this country," Herdman added.
"Working backwards from that, we have the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, other FIFA and ASEAN competitions, and this ASEAN Championship. Each of these steps helps us develop an understanding of tournament football.
"Tournament football is very different from arriving simply to play FIFA friendly matches. You have to learn how to manage a tournament and spend an extended period together.
"We have been together for around 33 days, building our brotherhood and tactical identity. This competition has been an opportunity to test Indonesia's domestic-based players.
"It has allowed every one of them to compete for a place in our plans for the Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup, and to demonstrate to the coaching staff what they can offer as players, leaders, and as a collective."
Like Herdman, Indonesia midfielder Marc Klok also predicted a response from the team at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday evening -- suggesting such tribulation provides the perfect opportunity for them to prove their mettle.
"We have arrived in Singapore with a very clear mission," said the Dutch-born Klok, who gained Indonesian citizenship and has represented Timnas since 2022.
"We began the tournament with a great deal of confidence. We suffered a setback a few days ago, but that is part of life and part of football.
"The strongest way for a team to demonstrate its identity is by responding when circumstances become difficult. When everything is going well and according to plan, it is easy to feel confident and receive praise.
"However, remaining confident during moments of doubt or difficulty is when genuine teams and leaders step forward.
"I am confident that the team will go onto the pitch tomorrow and give everything for the players and technical staff.
"More than 280 million people are behind us. That is what they deserve, what we deserve and what we must demonstrate on match day."