Yoshida threw caution to the wind with a triple substitution, bringing on Ikhsan, Faris and Shawal Anuar.
And it was Shawal who almost made an instant impact a minute after coming on, but his dipping shot drifted just wide.
Singapore defender Irfan Fandi received his marching orders in the 67th minute, after he hauled down Irfan Jaya as he ran towards goal. The referee deemed him to have denied the forward a clear goalscoring opportunity.
But shortly after, Singapore midfielder Shahdan thought he had turned game winner as he curled a gorgeous free kick past the Indonesian keeper to put nine-man Singapore ahead.
But Indonesia were not done yet, and they grabbed an equaliser with four minutes to spare, courtesy of Pratama.
With the game on the line, Faris had the chance to seal a famous win, but his penalty was pushed away by Indonesian keeper Nadeo Winata.
Then came the clincher for the Indonesians with just a minute played in extra time. As Irfan Jaya tried to force the ball across the line, it inadvertently rebounded off Shawal into goal.
Indonesia almost extended their lead on several occasions, if not for the excellent work of Singapore keeper Hassan Sunny, who was one of the many players who were immense for the Lions.
Substitute Egy then doubled the Indonesians’ lead just before the end of the first half of extra time to seal the victory.
Hassan received his marching orders with time ticking down as the Lions went down to eight men.
Speaking after the match, Yoshida said: “The referee is the referee. (If) they say (it’s a) foul, it’s a foul. (If) they say (it’s a) red card, (it’s a) red card.
“We have to accept it, it’s football.”
And it is Yoshida’s hope that the fans will believe in the team, and the players in themselves.
“I always tell the boys, my staff. You must believe (in) yourself. You can do it … Singapore fans I hope, I want them to support the boys and Singapore football.”
Despite the loss, the crowd’s appreciation for the crestfallen team at the full-time whistle said it all.
Singapore may have fallen to a defeat, but on a pulsating Christmas night at the National Stadium, they roared.
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