The Tajik side were a little fortunate to lead 3-0 early in the second half thanks to two penalties and a deflected strike. But they showed steel to withstand a spirited second half from Dordoi before sealing the three points.

Anton Zemlianukhin let fly from distance and forced Nikola Stosic into an early save as Dordoi made the brighter start.

A slick break from the visitors then saw Farhat Musabekov exchange passes with Bekzhan Sagynbaev before striking the outside of the post with a powerful low shot.

Jalil Kimsanov headed over from a corner as the home side hit back in a lively opening to the match.

It was the third draw in a row for 2018 AFC Cup runners-up Altyn Asyr, who had to hold firm in the second half, having had the better of the first 45 minutes.

In a close match, the Indian Super League side earned three points thanks to a late own goal from Wellington Priori, who deflected Thapa’s low cross in at the near post.

It took until the 79th minute for the home side to make the breakthrough and Thapa paid tribute to the resolute defending that provided the foundation for a vital win.

The former Nigerian youth international has now found the back of the net eight times in this campaign, just one behind top scorer Bienvenido Marañon from Ceres Negros, with a match at home against Tampines Rovers in two weeks still to come.

The Vietnamese champions traveled to the Cambodian capital knowing a win was needed to keep alive their hopes of progressing from the group stage, but it took the side time to settle.

The Filipino champions made it five wins from as many games to book their place in the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals for the third year running, confirming their position as one of the region’s most dominant teams.

Marañon, who has scored in each of his side’s five wins, now has nine goals in this year’s competition, just one shy of his tally from last year.

The Nepalese side, who had suffered back-to-back defeats in their maiden AFC Cup campaign, had three good opportunities within the opening five minutes.

The pick of those coming when Nigerian Afeez Oladipo was sent through on goal by countryman Somide, but the forward was denied at close range by a sprawling Minerva goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh.

And it proved to be a crucial save, as it was the hosts who then took the lead in the eighth minute.