The visitors were the first to have a sight on goal with Baffoe surging down the centre before cutting the ball across for Gondra, whose volley from distance was easily collected by Kaya keeper Patrick Deyto.

Eastern tried to break through the Kaya defence again but Jesse Yu Joy Yin could only shoot straight into the path of Deyto after Ma Hei Wai had created space on the right side of the box.

Despite creating chances, Kaya lacked the finishing touch with Shuto Komaki and Jesus Melliza seeing their efforts from outside the box miss the target in the 14th minute, while Jovin Bedic shot above the bar two minutes later.

Kaya’s misses would come back to haunt them as Eastern took the lead in the 28th minute after Gondra intercepted a poor clearance at the top of the box and volleyed home a curling effort past a rooted Deyto.

Gondra had a chance to double his tally in the 34th minute when Daniel Almazan sent a delightful long pass into the box but the Spanish midfielder failed to connect as the ball bounced over Deyto before heading out.

The home side drew level in first half stoppage time courtesy of Yamazaki, who converted from the penalty spot after Wong Tsz Ho’s infringement.

Eastern almost found a way through in the 59th minute after neat link play between Baffoe and Yu Joy Yin created an opening for the Spanish forward, only to be closed down by the onrushing Deyto, who parried the ball for a corner.

Bafoe, however, came good in the 78th minute with a powerful shot from distance that gave Detyo no chance as Eastern took the points. 

The two sides will meet in the reverse fixture on November 7.