Despite 3-1 loss to Mohun Bagan in their AFC Champions League playoff, Tampines Rovers defender Afiq Yunos has urged his teammates to use that experience as they prepare for the 2016 S.League season.
"It's unfortunate that we lost the game, but to play such a competitive match before the actual season is the perfect preparation for me and the team," he told ESPN FC.
"This defeat gives us the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and will make us work even harder to achieve better results for our upcoming matches in the S.League."
Tampines have strengthened in the off-season with the signings of nine LionsXII players, as well as last season's top local scorer Fazrul Nawaz, as they were looking to mount a serious challenge in the ACL.
However, they were ultimately outclassed by a fitter Mohun Bagan side, who were already three games into the I-League season.
Afiq, who has not played a full game for almost a year, admitted the Stags needed more match practice before they host Geylang International in their season opener on Feb.14.
"I expected it to be a hard and intense game, especially for myself who has not played in a competitive game for so long," said the 25-year-old. "That was truly the case, but I thought we played well as a team.
"We controlled the game and attacked more especially in the second half, but just could not get the decisive goal. If we were given at least one or two more weeks to prepare and brush up, I think we could have beaten them."
Afiq paired up with new South Korean defender Kwon Jun at the heart of defence and the duo couldn't keep up with Mohun's attackers.
The attacking trio of Jeje Lalpekhlua, Cornell Glen and Sony Norde stole the show, with the front two scoring one apiece while Haitian international winger Norde played in the corner for captain Katsumi Yusa to land the knockout blow.
Reacting to that, Afiq readily acknowledged that he and the rest of the backline will need to up their game.
"Their counter-attacks were good and their no. 7 (Lalpekhlua) gave me a real hard time, but in fact the goals which we let in were due to our own mistakes," said the former LionsXII player.
"I'm sure we will be more focused and alert so as not to allow such easy goals from now on."
While star man Jermaine Pennant sat out the game in Kolkata due to registration issues, the former Arsenal and Liverpool winger should be in the starting lineup when they kick off their AFC Cup campaign on Feb. 23.
The five-time S.League champions are placed in Group E along with Malaysia Cup winners Selangor FA, Filipino champions Ceres and Bangladesh's Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi.
Afiq is optimistic that Pennant's impending return will help the side as they now realign their regional target towards the AFC Cup.
"We missed his attacking qualities against Mohun Bagan. He could have helped us kill off their defence with his acceleration and ability in the final third," he quipped.
"Hopefully he'll be registered in time for the AFC Cup, because it is an equally tough competition. Apart from winning the S.League, we have ambitions to do well and do Singapore football proud with a good cup run."