Competing in the AFC Cup for the first time in their 103-year history, the Indonesian side took a first half lead before being pegged back by a stunning second half strike from 20-year-old Hami Syahin.

Despite pushing hard to find a winner late in the game and forcing Rudy Khairullah into a number of fine saves, the six-time Indonesian league champions had to settle for a point away from home, a result Kalezić was happy to accept after the game.

Ceres were beaten in the ASEAN Zonal Finals by Home United of Singapore last year – the opponent over whom they triumphed at the same stage in 2017 – and have made it to the knockout stage in each of the past three years.

As far as Vidakovic was concerned their 3-2 win against Shan to get up and running in Group G was too close for comfort though, and he wants an improvement in the next game if the team are to continue their strong form in continental competition.

The Singaporean side made the final of the ASEAN Zone for the past two years, winning last year’s tie against Ceres Negros to advance to the Inter-zone semi-finals, and coming into this year’s campaign they once again have ambitions of going deep into the tournament.

It was the home side that started the brightest too, with Adam Swandi pouncing on an errant back pass to force a fine save out of Rivki Mokodompit.

Despite the draw, however, the result extends Lao Toyota’s winless run in the AFC Cup to 10 matches, with their last win coming back in 2016.

For Kaya FC it was their first time in the AFC Cup since 2016 and they started the better of the two teams, forcing Outthilath Nammakhoth into a number of early saves in the Lao Toyota goal.

Hanoi took the lead in spectacular style after just six minutes. Following a corner, the ball was fed back to Do Duy Manh, who smashed a shot from 30 yards in off the underside of the bar.

It didn’t take long for the hosts to add a second. Nguyen Quang Hai’s backheel found its way to Nguyen Van Dung on the left and his low cross was tapped in by Ganiyu Oseni.

Ceres have made it to the knockout round in each of the past three seasons, but the hosts were given an early scare after 13 minutes when Maycon clipped home a one-on-one for Shan.

The Brazilian was adjudged to have strayed narrowly offside when running onto a Zin Min Tun through ball though, and so things remained scoreless.

Plenty of talent will be on display, with prolific goal-getters and midfield maestros among the main draws. Ahead of the matches, the-AFC.com has picked out six players to look out for.