Although AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 hosts Singapore have booked their spot in the semifinals with a game to spare, coach Tatsuma Yoshida insists the achievement does not affect the mindset that they remain challengers to the throne rather than one of the favourites.
Having racked up three consecutive wins over Myanmar, Philippines and Timor-Leste, the Lions head into their final Group A encounter against Thailand on Saturday with top spot up for grabs but a place in the last four already secured.
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All tournament long, Yoshida has maintained the stance that his team would be taking it one game at a time but, having advanced into the semis for the first time since the last won the tournament in 2012, Singapore fans could be forgiven for starting to dream.
The Japanese coach however believes that making the next stage of the tournament does nothing to change the notion that they remain the underdogs.
"Now we are one step away from reaching the final, it is of course a fantastic opportunity for us but we still have to take the games on by one," he told ESPN.
"We are still the challengers so we cannot forget this, and we have to be humble.
"Having already qualified for the semifinals, the game against Thailand will be a different challenge than our previous three matches and we have nothing to lose.
"Everyone knows Thailand is at a different level at the ASEAN level, and our boys can challenge them and show we deserve to be in the semifinals."
The Lions will also have to wait till Sunday evening to find out who they will meet in the last four, given three teams in Group B still have a chance of qualifying: Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Although who they face could significantly affect their chances of reaching the decider, with Vietnam widely regarded as Southeast Asia's strongest side at the moment, Yoshida insists he is not giving those potential scenarios much thought at the moment.
"We have to focus on ourselves because whether it be against Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia, any of these three opponents will still be a challenge for us," he added.
"We don't need to think too far ahead. We remain the underdogs but it's been a good story so far and we find ourselves in good scenario. After the Thailand match, I will start thinking about the semifinals."