Northern Districts are doubtless reflecting on where it all went wrong as they prepare for their final group game at the Champions League in Bangalore early Wednesday.
That's understandable, considering they swept their three qualifying games, then cleaned up the Cape Cobras in their opening tournament proper match 11 days ago.
At that point, the likelihood of their final group game against Barbados being meaningless seemed negligible - indeed playing the final of all pool games seemed a distinct benefit.
But that's what has happened, through a combination of their own loss of direction and other results going against them. No question it will have been a crushing few days for the players.
Kings XI Punjab topped the group and advance to the semifinals along with a highly capable Hobart side.