"Fall seven times, stand up eight." That was the reaction from the Pakistan FF social media team after the players went down fighting in their World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia and that same mantra certainly rings true for their Manchester United-schooled No.7.
Otis Khan - who progressed through the famous Old Trafford youth system before making his name further down the Football League pyramid - captained Pakistan for the first time in their 4-0 defeat at Al-Ettifaq's home stadium on Thursday afternoon. But that only tells part of his unique story.
Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, the 28-year-old winger is well-versed in the United way after spending a decade with the Premier League giants, playing for various age-group teams before departing in 2012. Khan - like so many other United hopefuls - then had to map out his own journey.
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Naturally, there have been plenty of twists and turns along the way - not least between the last two international breaks - but there was finally sweet justice for Khan in a gallant losing cause on the field. Donning the armband for his country was the crowning moment in a 10-year career that highlights what it takes to make it on the other side, but those hopes for Khan and his family were so nearly snatched away by FIFA.
Sheffield United picked the winger up when he was released by United in 2012 and he spent three years at Bramall Lane, making three senior appearances. Spells with 11 more sides followed - including loans - before Khan signed for Grimsby Town last summer shortly after their return to League Two.
It was quite the first 12 months for Khan at Blundell Park, too, as he played a vital part in Grimsby's fairy-tale run to the FA Cup quarter-finals, which included a staggering upset vs then-Premier League side Southampton before the plucky Mariners were gunned down by Brighton in front of the TV cameras on their way to Wembley.
That was only the start for Khan in a fulfilling, yet testing, few months which saw the player chase his international destiny and almost watch it come crashing down no sooner than it had started, before a dramatic U-turn from FIFA enabled him to resume his international career and fly the flag for his family's proud heritage.
Between gruelling League Two campaigns, Khan made six quickfire appearances for Pakistan - inside 17 days - this summer as he forewent much rest time at all to live out a dream opportunity. The ex-United youngster qualified to represent the country through his paternal grandfather. However, there were more plot twists to come.
After recovering from an early-season injury, Khan jetted out to Cambodia for a World Cup pre-qualifier in October and was poised to lead Pakistan's charge. Just two hours before kick-off, though, the forward was left "gutted" after FIFA flagged up an eligibility concern and told him that he couldn't play.
An emotional Khan took to social media. Resolving his situation was then deemed a high-priority.
In a heart-felt post, from October 12, he said: "To say I'm gutted is an understatement. With the great support and blessing I've received from my club manager, supporters and teammates, I've travelled thousands of miles around the world to get here and find out 2 hours before kick-off I'm ineligible to play in a historic game is heart-breaking.
"Angry, disappointed, let down, gutted. I don't know what to say.
"I'm so proud to represent this country and like any young player simply had a dream to play for the national team. Someone needs to answer for this as you're stopping a simple dream becoming possible. FIFA please deal with this urgently as I'm sat in a hotel room waiting for you to do your admin..."
FIFA did eventually get around to the paperwork but, at that juncture, it was too late. Pakistan, without their new hero for the national team, edged past Cambodia over two legs to make it through to the next stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Things would have likely been much more straightforward with Khan in their side, but player and nation were not the only ones made to pay. Grimsby, who backed Khan all the way in living out his burning ambition, were also left without him for an important game with Accrington as a result.
The query, which was eventually resolved this month, related to Khan's paternal grandfather and the pathway he took before the family settled in Manchester. Born in Delhi, he moved to Pakistan after the partition of India (1947) along with millions of other people, before then heading to the UK.
FIFA, who sanctioned Khan's availability in the first instance - with the player called up as far back as 2015 without making an appearance at the time - eventually cleared him to resume his Pakistan career. In international limbo no longer, Khan was soon given his crowning moment.
Even in that raw social media statement posted from a Cambodian hotel, Khan channelled his fight with class and by strapping on the Pakistan armband on Thursday afternoon, the triumphs - individually, for his family and for the ever-growing game in South Asia - far outweighed the smaller matter of an on-field defeat.
United have form for nurturing world-famous No.7s who have gone on to captain their country - such as Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham - and Khan can proudly add his name to that glittering list. United too must be made up for a Manchester boy who has had to do everything the hard way.
