SINGAPORE — A second-half salvo from Tampines Rovers saw them come away with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night (Feb 21) against Felda United in their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup Group G opener.

Goals from new signings Son Yong-chan and Khairul Amri sealed the three points at the Jalan Besar Stadium, where assistant coach Herman Zailani stood in for head coach Juergen Raab, who was unwell.

“It is important we start the season well and this win puts us in a good position, as we have to play the next two AFC Cup games away,” Herman said.

Both teams played out a drab first half with no shots on target as the visitors, second-from-bottom in the Malaysia Super League this season, seemed content to soak up the pressure from Tampines.

It took until the 64th minute for the deadlock to be broken, as the Stags were rewarded for their increased pressure.

New signing Raspreet Singh sped away down the left before delivering a precise cross to pick out Son, who timed his run perfectly to head the ball firmly past Felda goalkeeper Farizal Harun from six metres.

Farizal then saved well from Son’s 30-metre effort, as Tampines looked to add to their lead. The South Korean midfielder was later named man of the match.

The Stags did just that in the 84th minute through Amri, who came off the bench to kseal the win. Ryutaro Megumi left his marker for dead with a neat turn down the right before setting up the Singapore striker, who did not miss from close range.

Felda ensured a nervy ending through Fazrul Hazli Kadri’s opportunistic strike as the midfielder’s half-volley from 25 metres dipped over Stags goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

In the other group game, Vietnam’s Hanoi FC came back from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw with Philippines’ Ceres Negro FC.