The South Asians will go into the return leg at the neutral venue of Al Ahli Club chasing a 2-0 deficit, after late goals by Sieng Chanthea and Kouch Sokumpheak gave Cambodia the advantage in Thursday's first leg.

Pakistan looked set to hold on for a draw in the rain-lashed National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on Thursday but substitute Chanthea capitalised on a failed clearance by a Pakistani defender to drill the ball into the back of the net from close range in the 81st minute.

Three minutes later, Pakistan were left reeling as midfield general Sokumpheak broke away from the tracking defenders to slot the ball beyond the visiting keeper.

With the rain lashing down on the artificial pitch at Phnom Penh’s National Olympic Stadium, the first opening of the match came in the sixth minute for the visitors but MD Adnan Yaqoob struggled to hit the ball cleanly as his strike went wide of the post.

Moments later, Keo Sokpheng drew a fine fingertip save from the Pakistani keeper as he fired a brilliant curling effort from outside the box. But Yousuf Butt was able to get a strong hand to tip the ball over the bar.

An equally balanced first leg saw Bhutan take a slender lead going into Tuesday's match, thanks to Tshering Dorji's first half strike.

Goals from captain Norjmoo Tsedenbal and Naranbold Nyam-Osor gave Mongolia a 2-0 win in Thursday's first leg in Ulaanbaatar but Brunei Darussalam head coach Robbie Servais is confident his team can turn it around at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

A rampant Malaysia scored a 7-1 win to all but confirm their place in the next stage of the Asian Qualifiers but Tsukitate is looking at the bigger picture for Timor-Leste.

The Japanese coach opted for a young squad due to several factors and admitted that his players struggled to cope with the intensity of Malaysia's game.

Forward Rabiul Hasan came off the bench to score in Thursday's first leg to give Bangladesh a vital win and with the return leg at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, the South Asians are optimistic of their chances of their place in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers.