Elsewhere, Vietnam's league leaders Hanoi FC made it three wins in a row while there were big wins for the top two in Cambodia as we delve into our weekly wrap of the ASEAN Zone's domestic leagues.

The-AFC.com highlights the ins and outs across the Continent.

A first time meeting for these champions of the ASEAN and Central Zones, with Hanoi FC last in the knockout stages of the tournament in 2014 while Altyn Asyr lost out to Air Force Club of Iraq in the 2018 final.

The last time the sides from Southeast Asia and Central Asia met in the Inter-Zone semi-finals was the 2017 edition, when FC Istiklol of Tajikistan comprehensively defeated Filipino club Ceres Negros 5-1 on aggregate.

Having overcome domestic rivals Becamex Binh Duong to be crowned ASEAN Zonal Champions, Hanoi have now produced the best-ever performance by a Vietnamese side in the AFC Cup. 

But while midfielder Duc Huy admits he is satisfied with his side’s showing to date, the objective remains to go even deeper into the tournament and continue the upward trajectory than has been seen in the country over the past two years.

Avramovic, who helped Singapore win the AFF Cup in 2004, 2007 and 2012, had only returned to working in Southeast Asia last July when he was confirmed as the head coach of the Protectors.

However, the 69-year-old has called it quits with the team sitting fifth in the nine-team SPL having collected 27 points from 20 matches.

In a thrilling contest which saw the Vietnam outfit trailing 2-0 and then 3-1 before leading 4-3, Thai Son Nam's Kazuya Shimizu struck twice in the final three minutes to settle the tie at the Bangkok Arena.

In a match where both sides had their fair share of opportunities, Brook timed his run perfectly to steal in behind the Malaysian defence to slot home the winning goal.

Malaysia had high hopes of retaining the title they won last year, especially after having defeated Australia 3-0 in their group stage encounter earlier in the tournament.

For Australia, the triumph sealed their fifth title in nine appearances in the regional tournament.