SINGAPORE – As the weary Lions trudged back into the changing room at half-time, with the scoreboard reading Singapore 0 China 2, coach Tsutomu Ogura sought a game-changing spark to salvage a result.

In a surprising move, Ogura, who was making his bow as the Lions’ tamer, turned to rookie Harhys Stewart.

Despite his tender age, the 22-year-old rose to the occasion and turned in a performance to remember on his Lions debut on March 21, belying his lack of international experience.

The defensive midfielder’s energetic display in the middle of the park, coupled with his older brother Ryhan’s industry down the right, helped the 156th-ranked Singapore fight back to draw 2-2 with world No. 88 China in the World Cup qualifier.

It was the Lions’ first point after three Group C matches.

With the Chinese seeking revenge on home soil in the March 26 return match in Tianjin, where the temperature at kick-off is expected to be around 8 deg C, Ogura will be hoping that the Stewart brothers can turn up the heat again.

The Japanese tactician will need that, and more, after the unavailability of three players – the suspended centre-back pairing of Safuwan Baharudin and Lionel Tan and injured central midfielder M. Anumanthan – who started in the 2-2 draw.

On handing Harhys his debut, Ogura said: “I didn’t know it was his first cap. To me, it does not matter if someone has one cap or 100 caps.

“We were confident that he could add something to the team... He has a lot of energy and quality and the best (thing about him) is that he is learning all the time.”

Former Young Lions captain Harhys, who is on a season-long loan at Thai League 1 side Chiangrai United from Thai giants BG Pathum United, said he “didn’t really have any time to feel excited” after being told that he was coming on.

“I was focused on getting prepared to go on and try and help us win the game,” he said.

“It was a dream come true to play for Singapore and especially so to do it alongside my brother.”

Right-back Ryhan, 24, said they had fulfilled a dream of playing together for the Lions.

An added bonus for the brothers, whose father is Welsh and mother is a Malay Singaporean, was that their parents and grandfather were among the 28,414 spectators witnessing the match.

Ryhan, who plays for BG Pathum, expressed pride over his brother’s showing.

He said: “I’ve been there with him through his whole journey, so I know how much blood, sweat and tears he’s put into this.

“So it was a proud moment for my family.

“I am just super happy for him and he’s deserved this.”

The Stewart brothers were not the only ones to have put in memorable shifts in the 2-2 draw.

Responding to Ogura’s half-time talk, the Lions showed plenty of heart, grit and intelligence in the second half.

Ogura, who was not satisfied despite the valiant comeback, had told the team at the break: “Please don’t be scared.”

They will need to reprise that fearlessness on March 26, as China coach Branko Ivankovic has vowed to beat the Lions.

“Our goal is clear: To win the match tomorrow. We have to win the next two matches to qualify for the final stage of the Asian qualifiers,” said the Croat, as they seek to capitalise on the Lions’ need for changes.

While Ogura kept his cards close to his chest on who will replace the unavailable trio, he urged for more stability and asked his players to close the gap with their striker as he targets another morale-boosting result.

He added: “I hope we have more running and more fight and then we have a chance.”

The Lions would do well to heed the call, not least the Stewart brothers, who have another dream – to play in a European league or the higher echelons of Asia in the K.League or J.League.

A standout performance in Tianjin could help pave the way for their next career leap.