The East Asian derby saw Chinese Taipei denied a perfect start after Ou Yang-Qi’s header crashed against the bar inside the opening minute while Sung Chi-Han’s wonderful volley was palmed away by Lam Chak Fong.

Lam, however, was at fault for the opening goal in the 17th minute, misreading the flight of Wang Hong-Ruei’s cross as the ball sailed from the right flank past him and landed in the net.

The second half saw a dominant Chinese Taipei gunning for more goals and it came just two minutes in through Lai Yi-Chia’s header before Wang got his second when he tucked home a rebound in the 53rd minute.

Harrison Tang’s mistake in the 67th minute gifted the ball to Huang Ching-Wei, who put Diego Finotti through to slot home with the latter heading in the fifth in the 89th minute to seal a positive start for Chinese Taipei.

Bhutan were unlucky not to open the scoring in the fourth minute when Rinzin Dorji unleashed a spectacular effort from 30 yards out which beat Ilhan Rezal but not the post.

Out of nothing, Singapore found the back of the net when Jaden Heng curled a beauty from outside the box into the top corner, giving Sherab Dorji no chance in the 11th minute.

 

Jadon Quah made it 2-0 in the 34th minute, nodding home Sim Jun Yen’s pass after Bhutan were unable to clear a Singapore corner.

Bhutan made it an interesting end to the game when they pulled a goal back in the 55th minute as Kelden Dorji swept in Rinzin’s perfect low cross.

Lukyan Tan made sure of the win for Singapore in the 81st minute, striking home after good work from Zharfan Zainal on the left.