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.

It was the third draw in a row for 2018 AFC Cup runners-up Altyn Asyr, who had to hold firm in the second half, having had the better of the first 45 minutes.

The visitors made a bright start and Kervens Belfort flashed a header wide from Rubel Miya’s corner in the second minute.

It took until the 21st minute for the home side to pose a real threat to Abahani as Mailson’s powerful header brought a fine save from Shahidul Alam.

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.

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.

What was to be an epic match opened in appropriately exciting fashion with chances at either end in the first 10 minutes.

First Novri Setiwan’s angled effort from inside the area after three minutes was kept out, before Ceres midfielder Kevin Ingreso saw his own close-range attempt denied by a smart save from Andritany Ardhiyasa.

Holding a five point lead coming into the match, the Filipino side knew a win would guarantee top spot in the group, and given the Myanmar side had yet to register a point in this year’s competition, Risto Vidakovic’s side had reason to be confident.

They showed that confidence early on as they immediately took control of the game, with Mike Ott having a good chance after 13 minutes that was deflected out for a corner.