Almost three months since former coach Tatsuma Yoshida made the decision to leave his post and return to Japan, Singapore are yet to appoint a new person in charge.
While the process of hiring the next tactician who will be tasked to tame the Lions is believed to be at an advanced stage, it will not come in time for their exploits in the FAS Tri-Nations Series 2022 -- beginning with Saturday's enticing affair against fierce rivals Malaysia.
Not that it is much of an issue. For now.
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In the absence of a permanent boss, Singapore will be led by Nazri Nasir -- a former captain of the national team in his playing days with plenty of coaching experience under his belt, including a similar caretaker stint back in 2019 when he masterminded a 1-0 victory over Malaysia.
That result came in the Airmarine Cup which was ultimately won by Oman. Not dissimilarly, the FAS Tri-Nations Series -- notwithstanding the bragging rights on offer and perhaps even a neat little trophy -- is essentially a friendly tournament, which is why it matters less that it will be an interim coach leading the Lions for now.
Neither is that a slight on the Football Association of Singapore's endeavour to organise something more meaningful than just playing a couple of one-off friendlies during the international window.
The King's Cup -- organized by the Football Association of Thailand since 1968 -- is also a friendly tournament for all intents and purposes but has been graced by global icons past and present, including Ronaldinho, Peter Schmeichel, Robert Lewandowski and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Should the FAS Tri-Nations Series go on to become a recurring affair, there is nothing to stop its organisers from striving to make it bigger and better.
Yet, whether or not the Lions are able to pull off a couple of positive results over the next four days -- first against Malaysia and then against Philippines on Tuesday -- it should not detract from the fact that mood surrounding Singaporean football has been as positive as it has been for a decade now, but that there are bigger goals that should lie ahead.
The main factor behind the upturn in spirits stems from last year's exploits at AFF Suzuki Cup 2020. Despite being written off pre-tournament even by their own fans, Singapore charged into the semifinals before falling to a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Indonesia in a game marred by some controversial refereeing decisions.
Ultimately finishing the tie with just eight men and having squandered a last-gasp penalty that would have snatched the victory, the Lions were nevertheless lauded for their valiant efforts.
The FAS Tri-Nations Series marks Singapore's first action -- sans Yoshida -- since a Suzuki Cup adventure that not only produced heartbreak admittedly but also renewed vigour and belief.
Rather than focus on the results against Malaysia and Philippines in what are effectively two friendlies (although Singapore vs. Malaysia is never friendly), Singapore should look to use these ties as a platform to build towards the next big goal -- reaching the AFC Asian Cup in 2023.
Singapore has only featured at the tournament once previously in 1984, and even then, as the host nation. While qualifying for China 2023 will not be easy, it is not completely beyond them having been drawn in Group F alongside Krygyz Republic, Tajikistan and Myanmar -- with the Kyrgyzstanis the only ones that featured in the previous edition.
What better way to capitalise on a strong showing on the regional front from a few months ago by taking a few more forward steps towards qualifying for a continental appearance for the first time ever.
By the time the Asian Cup qualifiers come around in June, the Lions will have a new tamer. Until then, they can start to build on the roar that has once again been unleashed around Kallang -- and all throughout Singapore, for that matter -- with loftier heights in their sights.