Izwan denied Truong Tien Anh in the 18th minute while Nguyen Hoang Duc hit the Singapore crossbar soon after as the Vietnamese dictated the tempo throughout the first half without reward.

But while Shawal Anuar headed a late opportunity over the bar for the visitors in a rare sortie forward, Nguyen Tai Loc thumped his effort from distance against the woodwork on a frustrating night for the hosts.

The result leaves Singapore, who have played three times, on top of Group A with seven points, one ahead of Indonesia with Vietnam in third on four points. Indonesia and Vietnam, who have played twice, are due to meet in Bogor on Monday.

The Indonesians, meanwhile, were made to work to pick up their second consecutive win in the campaign with John Herdman’s side backing up their opening 5-1 victory over Cambodia with another victory.

Jackson Fowler’s sending off in the 21st minute left Timor-Leste with an uphill battle but Ze Pedro’s side managed to hold out until the 74th minute.

However, three goals in seven minutes ensured Indonesia took all three points with Shane Pattynama opening the scoring with an assured finish from Dony Pamungkas’ cutback after an incisive through-ball from Thom Haye.

Haye doubled his side’s lead with a stunning curling free-kick four minutes later that found the top corner of Dylan Niski’s goal while Mitch Baker scored his fourth goal in two matches in the 81st minute when he slotted in Ragnar Oratmangoen’s low centre from close range.

Photos: Vietnam Football Federation