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.

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.

Riding high from their thumping 5-2 win over Yangon United in their previous match, the visitors took time to settle and it was the home side who had the first real opportunity of the game as Anderson Zogbe failed to direct his effort on target from Khim Borey’s corner.

Hanoi came into the game as the half went on and star striker Pape Omar Faye had two chances to open the scoring, but saw one effort deflected while he had an air swing on the other.

Tampines took just two minutes to get on the scoresheet when a long ball from Madhu Mohana found Khairul Amri and the striker volleyed in from 14 yards.

The hosts came close to adding to their lead with half-an-hour gone as Megumi made a run down the right and cut the ball back for Jordan Webb. The Canadian looked certain to score but stabbed wide from inside the six-yard box.

With Ceres Negros having already sealed top spot in the group, Binh Duong must now aim for a best runners-up spot. Meanwhile, Persija’s chances of progress in the tournament were ended as they slumped to a third successive defeat.

Victor Mansaray’s direct run had the Persija defence backpedaling in the eighth minute but the American’s shot from 18 yards was straight at Andritany Ardhiyasa.

With losses against fellow Hong Kong side Tai Po and DPR Korea side 4.25 in their opening two matches, Kitchee’s chances of progressing from Group I were already slim heading into the match at the Mong Kok Stadium.

But against their Chinese Taipei opponents they started in the best way possible, with a goal inside the opening 10 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.