Having picked up just one point from two games in their first appearance in the competition since 2015, anything but a win would have left qualification to the knockout rounds unlikely, but in the end they got their just rewards for a dominant display.

Three-time AFC Cup champions Kuwait SC had the better of both halves at the Bahrain National Stadium but missed a host of chances as the game appeared to be heading for a stalemate until Al Khamees stunned the hosts with a fabulous curling effort from 20 yards at the death.

The win moved Kuwait SC level on four points with Al Najma at the midway point of the group stage, with both sides three points behind table-toppers Al Jazeera of Jordan, who defeated Syria's Al Ittihad 4-0 earlier on Tuesday.

With neither side having registered a win in the first two matches, it was close enough to last chance saloon for both sides if they were to have any chance of progressing from Group G.

It was the home side who had the first chance of the game but Maycon couldn’t get the better of Binh Duong goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong.

Nguyen Thanh Son's side then had a great chance after 16 minutes, but despite being played into space on the right-hand side, To Van Vu couldn’t direct his shot on target and the ball flashed across the front of goal and away from danger.

With two points separating the two teams after the first two matches, the home side made the perfect start when Spaniard Marañon headed home from Martin Steuble’s inch perfect cross in just the ninth minute.

Having made the ASEAN Zonal Final for the last two years, the Protectors were confident of another good showing in the AFC Cup, but without a win after their first two games they were desperate to get back on the winners’ list to get their campaign back on track.

They were made to work hard for their 1-0 win, but Qaiyyim’s header in first half stoppage time was enough to seal all three points.

Kaya came into the 2019 AFC Cup match in Indonesia top of Group H on goal difference ahead of the Indonesians, so a win was crucial for either side as they both look to advance to the ASEAN Zonal Semi Finals.

Despite the home side dominating possession, and taking the lead early in the second half, Kaya never gave up and secured a vital point when Angeles was found unmarked in the box in the 93rd minute, controlling the ball on his chest and volleying home past Rivki Mokodompit.

The Englishman took over Chennaiyin in mid-2017 and led the side to the Indian Super League (ISL) title in his first season at the helm, although the club were unable to maintain the same level this campaign and finished bottom of the table.

Having qualified for the Continental competition – via the play-offs – thanks to their ISL success, their opening game now carries extra intrigue as, for the first time in the AFC Cup’s history, the ISL winners and the I-League champions will square off.