LIKE many football fans in Singapore, my first reaction towards the revelations about the ill-disciplined Lions was one of shock and disappointment.
Two players oversleeping during the day of the Asian Cup qualifying decider? A player smoking at half-time?
Subsequently, I couldn't help but wonder: Had we got the draw we needed, would we learn of these revelations?
Or would they have been buried beneath the wave of euphoria from history being made - qualifying directly for the Asian Cup finals for the first time?
Would we have looked ahead to 2011 Finals in Qatar and not looked back at incidents that should not be looked past?
Between a blessing in disguise and bliss in ignorance, I much prefer the former.
The 1-2 loss to Jordan in Amman last week must surely be a wake-up call.
In times when "results are everything", it would be frightening to think that a win (or in this case, a draw) would mean that players believe they can get away with lighting up n times a day, or not taking training seriously.
After all, performances do matter, and so does giving 100 per cent.
But victories do that. They mask cracks, like scores flatter and statistics deceive.
They lull you into thinking that you did well enough, as opposed to thinking you did your best. They offer a false sense of security.
Nobody seems to care if you miss 99 chances, as long as you take one to win 1-0. But can you deny the work that needs to be done in front of goal?
Perhaps, athletes tend to be more analytical in defeat. What went wrong? Why? How?
Baihakki Khaizan and Ridhuan Muhamad, the two players who kept their teammates waiting for seven minutes on the team bus that was to take them to the qualifer, do not want to be labelled as scapegoats for the defeat. And there is no need for scapegoats, only a need for change.
If the identified problems lead to a shake-up - an eradication of the smoking culture and a more disciplined Lions, it can only spell good news for local football.