Tampines Rovers are still alive in the AFC Cup after securing a battling 3-1 victory over Felda United in their Group G clash last night.
The impressive away victory lifted the Singapore side out of the bottom spot in Group G and into third place on six points, two behind Ceres and Hanoi with one match to play.
Malaysian outfit Felda are still technically in with a chance of advancing too, but the defeat has left their chances rather slim.
Ivan Džoni opened the score for Tampines in the first half following a defensive error from Felda centre back Mootaz Jounaidi, but Malaysia international Norshahrul Idlan Talaha equalised for Felda after a tidy near post finish.
Khairul Amri Kamal was later brought on for Dzoni, and the Singapore international scored twice in the space of five minutes to all but kill off the tie.
In the other Group G encounter, Ceres-Negroes went top of the group after a crucial win against an undermanned Hanoi FC.
Ceres took the lead early on when Bienvenido Maranon opened the score after 13 minutes before Kevin Ingreso doubled the lead eight minutes later.
Hanoi struck back, though, as Pham Thanh Luong expertly scored from a direct free kick to ensure they went into half-time with a one-goal deficit.
Ceres quickly pulled three goals clear shortly after the break thanks to a brace from Fernando (53′, 69′), between which Hanoi substitute Hoang Vu Samson was also shown a straight red card.
A late Do Hung Dung penalty was not enough for Hanoi, as Jason de Jong and Maranon again added goals in the final three minutes to give Ceres a comprehensive victory.
In the final match of the group stage, Ceres Negroes will face Tampines Rovers in Singapore on May 3, while Hanoi FC host Felda United the same day.
In the Group F encounter, Johor Darul Ta’zim comfortably beat Boeung Ket Angkor of Cambodia to stay on track for the zonal semi-finals of AFC Cup.
Johor Darul Ta’zim had goals from Safawi Rashid, Nazmi Faiz and Gabriel Guerra to thank for the win.
Meanwhile, Filipino side Global FC guaranteed a top two finish in Group F with a 4-2 away victory over Magwe FC of Myanmar.
The hosts led at half-time following a 38th-minute goal from winger Kyaw Naing Naing.
However, a Hikaru Minegishi strike and two from striker Darryl Roberts in the space of 12 minutes saw the visitors race clear with just ten minutes remaining.
Shu Sasaki rounded off the Global victory with the side’s fourth goal in the 88th minute, and Naing Lin Tun’s goal deep into injury time was just a consolation for the hosts.
Global now top Group F with 12 points from their five fixtures to date, with Magwe bottom of the standings with two points. Johor Darul Ta’zim are on second with 10 points, while Boeung Ket Angkor, already eliminated, have just four points.