Xuan Nam netted twice in the final 18 minutes to ensure a frustrating evening for Ho Chi Minh City ended with all three points going back to Vietnam despite a series of missed opportunities for Jeong Hae-seong’s side to wrap up the win much earlier.

Tin Maung Tun’s team dominated throughout the 90 minutes but looked set to be frustrated by Hougang goalkeeper Khariulhin Khalid and their own poor finishing until Than rolled his effort home to secure all three points.

The win moves Yangon onto seven points from their opening three games of the 2020 campaign while Hougang remain on the three points earned in their opening day win over Lao Toyota.

PSM Makassar, having defeated Shan United 3-1 on Matchday Two, were hoping to repeat their success against Kaya at the Madya Stadium.

The home team, however, suffered a major setback after Dedy Gusmawan was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Takumi Uesato in the 10th minute.

Midfielder Hai Huy was on the scoresheet as the V.League 1 team claimed an impressive 2-2 away draw against the Philippines’ Ceres Negros two weeks ago to pick up their first point of the campaign.

Svay Rieng, meanwhile, produced arguably the shock of the tournament so far when they beat Indonesian champions Bali United 2-1, and a second successive victory at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium would open up a five-point gap between them and Than Quang Ninh.

Groups F and H are up first when they take to the field on Tuesday, while Group G will follow suit on Wednesday as the group stage of the Continental competition approaches its midway point in Southeast Asia.

Among the teams in action are two-time runners-up FC Istiklol of Tajkistan, compatriots FC Khujand and Maldivian champions Maziya Sports & Recreation, who stunned former runners-up Bengaluru FC of India in the play-offs.

There are plenty of debuts, too, with Indian side Chennai City, Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh and the Maldives' TC Sports Club all set to make their maiden AFC Cup appearances.

Led by Ukrainian head coach Anatoliy Demyanenko, Nasaf’s 2-1 win over Kuwait SC in the final earned the club from Uzbekistan’s south – who have never won the league title in their homeland – a priceless victory.