Wuhan Jiangda head coach Chang Weiwei made one change from the side that defeated Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies in the quarter-finals with Wang Shuang replacing captain Yao Wei, who has only just returned from injury.

Lu Dinh Tuan, meanwhile, opted for a revamped Ho Chi Minh City midfield from the one that defeated Abu Dhabi Country Club with Ngo Thi Hong Nhung, Cu Thi Hyunh Nhu, Sakura Yoshida and Tran Nguyen Bao Chau starting.

Ho Chi Minh City, however, suffered an early setback when an injury forced Cu off after only 14 minutes, with Nguyen Thi Kim Yen coming on.

Wuhan Jiangda were in the ascendancy and Wang Shuang threatened again with a powerful free-kick which an alert Quach Thu Em thwarted.

The persistent pressure paid off in the 34th minute when Tereza Engesha forced her way into the box. Her cutback was blocked but the rebound fell kindly for the impressive Wang Shuang, who directed her sublime curling effort into the top corner for the opener.

The hosts could have added to their advantage when Wang Shuang played Song Duan through but Quach was quick off her line to block the shot before Engesha dragged an effort wide as Ho Chi Minh City went into the break fortunate to only be a goal down.

Wuhan Jiangda maintained their dominance after the interval, needing only nine minutes to double their lead with Engesha teeing up Song Duan on the edge of the box for a spectacular finish that left Quach completely stranded.

The visitors had their first look at goal in the 56th minute when Hyunh Nhu broke free on the right and produced a telling cross which found Hong Nhung but the latter’s header was easily gathered by Ding Xuan.

Late on, Hyunh Nhu’s cross took a wicked deflection off defender Ma Jun which forced Ding to readjust her position to make the save but that was all Ho Chi Minh City could muster as Wuhan Jiangda edged closer to lifting the title.