Four games on the road to the Russia 2018, Singapore have laid to rest the ghosts from last year's shambolic AFF Suzuki Cup campaign as they seek to qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time since 1984.
At the halfway mark in the AFC second round, Singapore are on target for the regional showpiece in United Arab Emriates in 2019 thanks to a rock-solid defence, a red hot striker and a dose of lady luck.
They've won two matches, drawn away to Japan and lost narrowly to Syria.
Still not convinced? We go through the stats and give you five reasons they will qualify.
1. Singapore have Southeast Asia's best defensive record
The master and pupil combination in Singapore's central defence is working wonders in Group E so far.
Veteran centre-back Baihakki Khaizan and the less experienced Madhu Mohana have operated in tandem in the four matches so far, conceding just one goal, which came in the 1-0 loss to Syria in Muscat.
Having kept clean sheets against the Japanese in Saitama and away to Cambodia -- in addition to last Thursday's home qualifier against Afghanistan -- the duo are arguably the best defensive pairing across Southeast Asia at the moment.
ASEAN champions Thailand have conceded two in three matches while Vietnam have let in three. Philippines have leaked six past Neil Etheridge and Radojko Avramovic's Myanmar have already let in 15 goals.
As the only nation to use three goalkeepers in the campaign, Malaysia's debacles against United Arab Emirates (10-0) and Palestine (6-0) see them with a staggering 20 conceded.
Baihakki and Madhu's form means that former defender Safuwan Baharudin can be employed in midfield. Even since June's goalless draw in Japan, coach Bernd Stange hasn't been tempted to bring Safuwan back into defence.
2. Hassan keeps Izwan on his toes
Izwan's 18 saves against Japan reinforced his place as first choice in the Singapore starting lineup but the LionsXII goalkeeper cannot let his guard down.
Sitting on the bench is Hassan Sunny who has been putting in man-of-the-match performances for Army United FC in the tough Thai Premier League.
With the possible exception of Kawin Thamsatchanan from Southeast Asian champions Thailand, Singapore possess the top two custodians in the region.
How neighbours Malaysia would love to have even one of them in their squad after ex-coach Dollah Salleh wasted two of his substitutions on keepers as he tried to stem the flow of goals in the 10-0 thrashing in Abu Dhabi on Sept. 3.
Whoever Stange chooses to select between the sticks, it really doesn't matter because both Izwan and Hassan are equally confident in a position where the Lions have been well covered over the past two decades.
3. Stange system is made for veteran striker Amri
Khairul Amri made his debut back in 2004 under current Myanmar boss Avramovic and went on to become one of the Republic's top strikers, who recently passed 100 caps.
His international goal tally stands at 30 after his sensational second half header to help Singapore to a 1-0 win over Afghanistan last Thursday.
He netted 15 international goals in the first nine years, earning three ASEAN titles in the process. But since 2012, Amri has flourished into the undisputed king of the Lions' attack, with his last 15 goals coming in Stange's preferred, one-striker system.
Known as the man for the big occasion, the LionsXII forward has added consistency to his repertoire, often finding a way to sneak a goal in when his team are under pressure, as they were last week against Afghanistan.
4. Lady luck is on Singapore's side
They say that all championship-winning teams need a slice of luck.
Against Afghanistan, the home side were outplayed on their own turf but came away with the three points after Amri's Houdini act in the 72nd minute.
Four months ago in Saitama, Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki and Keisuke Honda held their heads in disbelief as Izwan's heroics -- and the woodwork -- denied the Samurai Blue a regulation victory.
Singapore rode their luck on both occasions and came away with points. If they can keep their defensive game plan intact while swinging in pinpoint crosses for Amri to finish, the Lions can claim second spot in Group E.
Otherwise, they will have to go into Asian Cup qualifying third round.
5. Fandi and The Dazzler provide calm in rough seas
It has been a year of uncertainty for many of Singapore's backroom staff. Head coach Stange's contract ended last month but Football Association of Singapore (FAS) acted quickly by giving him an extension until the end of the second round of AFC World Cup qualifying in March.
After assistant coach Harald Irmscher left the setup in July, Stange brought in Singapore's two favourite footballing sons Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundramoorthy as his assistants in what was one of the German's best moves since taking the reins in 2013.
It was heartily endorsed by the senior players in the ranks. They feel that the two legends of Singapore football can act as a bridge between the squad and the coach after the dark days of last November's dismal Suzuki Cup run.
Sundram and Fandi's familiarity with the core group gives them the edge when conveying instructions while their stature in the local scene also serves as a reminder for younger members of the squad to stay in line.
The question, of course, is what role Sundram or Fandi might have when the former Belarus coach moves on.