After a cagey start, the match burst into life in the 18th minute, Tampines’ Shah Shahiran’s shot from distance was gathered by Patiwat Khammai and from the resultant counter attack, Bangkok’s Muhsen Al Ghassani squared for Richairo Zivkovic who forced Syazwan Buhari to save on his goal line.

Tampines again went close from a Shuya Yamashita free-kick from 30 yards out that packed a punch but sailed just over the bar before Zivkovic once again was foiled by Syazwan from close range.

The clearest opening in the first half came in the 32nd minute when Bangkok’s Mahmoud Dhadha was put through on goal but saw his shot blocked by a superb recovery challenge by Milos Zlatkovic.

Bangkok had a couple of early opportunities in the second half but Zivkovic and Bihr’s efforts were saved by Syazwan before Al Ghassani’s attempt on the hour mark was cleared on the line by Zlatkovic.

Having survived the onslaught, Tampines took the lead a minute later through Seia Kunori, with the Japanese’s low strike from just outside the box finding its way into the bottom corner.

Gavin Lee’s side pushed hard for a second goal but despite keeping Bangkok under intense pressure for the remainder of the match, they were not able to breach the visitors’ defence again.