In recent times, Indonesia have made a habit of punching above their weight.
Despite their current FIFA world ranking of 130th, they are -- in essence -- among Asia's upper echelon as one of just 18 teams competing in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
And their campaign has gone rather positively so far, with last month's narrow defeat to China their first loss after impressive draws with Saudi Arabia, Australia and Bahrain.
Nonetheless, on Friday, coming up against the team who are arguably head and shoulders above the rest of the competition at the moment, Indonesia were given a brutal reality check with regards to the disparity in quality that still exists between them and the very best.
They had even started brightly and threatened on several occasions in the opening exchanges. Yet, once a switch was flicked, they had no answer to a rampant Japan outfit who charged to a 4-0 win at Gelora Bung Karno.
The result saw the Samurai Blue return to winning ways in style after a small stumble last time out, as their perfect run in the Asian qualifiers came to an end following a 1-1 draw with Australia.
It was a result that was always on the cards, especially considering Japan had already racked up 39 goals in just ten matches prior to Friday's tie, and there was certainly no shame in the margin of defeat -- given a team like China, who rank 38 spots above Indonesia -- shipped seven goals to the same opposition earlier in the campaign.
As chastening as the defeat will feel, it should provide Indonesia coach Shin Tae-Yong with an opportunity to teach his young charges about the gulf in class they still have to make up.
Perhaps they will learn that, even against top-quality opposition, the difference boils down to the minute details.
Had Indonesia made the most of their bright start, they might even have found themselves in the dreamland that would have been a three-goal lead inside the opening 15 minutes.
In the 9th minute, a long ball over the top that caught the Japanese defence napping saw Ragnar Oratmangoen race through on goal -- but, with perhaps too much time on his hands, he was just unable to think his way through the situation and was denied one-on-one by Zion Suzuki.
Shortly after, the hosts twice made headway down the flanks. First, Rafael Struick -- at full stretch -- just failed to connect with a tasty low ball from debutant Kevin Diks, before the former's attempt at being the provider failed with Yakob Sayuri unable to telegraph which post his cross was heading to.
It was a matter of inches that cost Indonesia drawing first blood, but the minute details also include small lapses that lead to big repercussions.
As the visitors awoke from their slumber, it was a trademark piece of incisive play that saw them break the deadlock in the 35th minute.
With Kōki Machida advancing well up the field in his role as one of the wide centre-backs, his pass into the box would lead to a flurry of deft touches. In a matter of seconds, the ball had been worked past Indonesia goalkeeper Maarten Paes and, in a desperate attempt to deny Koki Ogawa the simplest of tap-ins, Justin Hubner could only prod the ball into his own goal.
There could be little blame apportioned to Indonesia that time, but not quite so five minutes later.
There was an element of misfortune with Diks off the field receiving treatment in that moment. Suddenly needing to defend a far larger space, Sayuri's missed interception paved the way for Kaoru Mitoma to poke back for a sweeping Takumi Minamino finish.
If Indonesia were to have any chance of getting something out of the game, they needed to land the first blow of the second half.
Just four minutes in, calamity struck once more.
Under no significant pressure, Paes scuffed his clearance straight to Hidemasa Morita but his low drive looked certain to be kept out by a covering Jay Idzes. Unfortunately for the Indonesia captain, who has been outstanding since coming into the team back in March, he made a mess of his effort to clear -- with his air-kick allowing Morita's effort to agonisingly nestle into the bottom corner.
From then on, there was always only ever going to be one winner although there was still time for the visitors to add a fourth.
Again, without being overly critical, Shin will perhaps feel his players could have dealt with the threat better.
A neat one-two with fellow substitute Junya Itō saw Yukinari Sugawara released down the right but a cross into a crowded box should have been his only option.
Nonetheless, with no Indonesia player venturing forward to confront him, Sugawara had an eternity to advance closer and closer towards goal, where he eventually managed to force a shot in at Paes' near post despite facing what seemed an impossible angle.
For all the endeavour they have shown, Indonesia now find themselves bottom of Group C and yet to record a win -- with their three points all coming from draws.
Still, the fact that Japan are running away in top spot means that only three points separate the Indonesians from second place. With one half of the campaign still to play, they are nowhere near out of it.
Realistically, reaching the World Cup -- at their current stage of development -- was always a fantasy. That doesn't mean they shouldn't dream big.
Yet, after Friday, they should now know the gap they still have to make if they are to be one of the continent's best that marches on to football's biggest stage.