Following an even start, Yemen struck in the 20th minute after Abdulaziz Awadh was tripped inside the box by Raoul Suhaimi. Anwar Hussein’s penalty was saved by Aizil Yazid but Radhi Ebrahim was quick to pounce on the rebound.

Singapore had to dig deep to prevent Yemen from taking a bigger lead into the break, Muhammad Aqil making a superb last-ditch challenge to block Awadh before Aizil produced an outstanding stop to deny Essam Alawami.

Singapore’s efforts, however, came undone in first half added time after they conceded another penalty when Andrew Aw fouled Hussein, with Awadh making no mistake this time.

The second half saw improvements from Singapore but they left it too late to pull a goal back in the 80th minute when Louka Tan-Vaissiere controlled a long cross from defence, turned away from Saleh Albatol before rifling home past Osamah Ali as Yemen held on for the win.

Vietnam were aggressive from the start with Nguyen Phi Hoang's low shot from distance in the 10th minute bouncing off the post but the hosts were not to be denied five minutes later.

Nguyen Dinh Bac played a delightful through ball for Nguyen Ngoc My to bend a shot past Bangladesh custodian Mehdi Srabon for the opening goal.

Bangladesh relied on set-pieces for a way back into the game, coming close in the 35th minute through Shekh Morsalin's powerfully struck effort from 25 yards out that tested Tran Trung Kien's handling.

Vietnam continued to pepper Bangladesh's goalmouth with shots after the break with Srabon made to work hard before the bar came to his rescue from a Le Viktor shot.

Le, however, got the goal to settle the contest in the 83rd minute, nodding home from close range following Ly Duc's knock down.

Vietnam will target another three points against Singapore on Saturday while Bangladesh will need to defeat Yemen to revive their hopes.