The Southeast Asian nation has achieved considerable success at international level over the past year, with the Golden Stars winning the 2018 AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Cup and then reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

Hanoi, the reigning V.League champions, boast a side replete with national team players who have played key roles in the country’s improvement and Senegalese forward Faye is quick to point out the impact they have had in helping the club progress to the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals.

Both sides finished level on 13 points from their six group games but Wednesday’s win – coupled with the 1-1 draw between the teams on Matchday Two – means Hanoi take first place in the group and advance to the ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals.

First half goals from Ganiyu Oseni and Nguyen Thanh Chung put Hanoi in an unassailable position and Yasir Hanapi’s sending off late in the opening 45 minutes left Tampines – who only needed a draw to win the group – with an impossible task.

These days 2017 ASEAN Zonal champions and 2018 ASEAN Zonal runners-up Ceres Negros are considered to be one of the strongest teams in the AFC Cup.

However, back at the beginning of the 2017 AFC Cup campaign they were not counted among the contenders to be crowned inaugural ASEAN champions, with most looking to 2015 AFC Cup winners JDT, the Southern Tigers, as a likelier candidate to be crowned Southeast Asian kings.

Making their debut appearance in the tournament, Makassar won four and drew two of their Group H games to advance as table-toppers and, in doing so, netted 17 goals along the way – a tally only Hanoi FC have bettered in this year’s competition.

Netherlands-born midfielder Klok was instrumental in his side’s success, with his two goals against last year’s ASEAN Zonal champions Home United of Singapore paving the way for a crucial come-from-behind 3-2 win and ultimately qualification to the knockout rounds.

The 33-year-old Spanish striker has enjoyed another Continental campaign to remember for Filipino club Ceres improving on his Group Stage scoring tallies from the 2017 and 2018 campaigns to lead the scorers' standings with nine goals.

The-AFC.com spoke exclusively with Marañón to look ahead to the showdown with Vietnam's Hanoi FC, reflect on the tournament so far and recall past campaigns.

Al Jazeera and Al Ahed are back in this stage for the second year in a row, while Al Wehdat are back at the Zonal Semi-Finals for a second time after 2017. Champions in 2004, Al Jaish have not played at this stage since its introduction two season ago.

While the qualification race remains ongoing in the Central, South and East Zones, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the key statistics from the six completed groups.