Laos got a pair of late goals as they came from behind to beat Brunei 3-2.
Visay Phaphouvanin opened the scoring for Laos with a deflected shot after eight minutes but Hardi Bujang levelled with a header in the 28th minute and substitute Mohd Abu Bakar Mahari appeared to have won the game for Brunei when he headed home with six minutes remaining.
But Lamnao Singto chipped in the equaliser in the 89th minute and Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya headed in a stoppage time winner to send the Laotians up to second place in the qualifying tournament with six points.
They could seal one of the two spots available for the Suzuki Cup with victory against last-placed Timor Leste in their final game on Saturday.
The Philippines lead the standings with seven points after downing hosts Cambodia by the same score.
Sam El Nasa put the Cambodians ahead after 14 minutes and levelled the score in the 44th minute after the Filipinos had taken the lead with goals by skipper Alex Borromeo in the 19th minute and Chris Greatwich in the 36th minute.
But substitute Chad Gould put the Philippines back in front in the 53rd minute to secure three precious points.
The Filipinos have completed their qualifying games and could still be denied a spot in the Suzuki Cup by Brunei or Cambodia, who meet in the final round-robin match on Saturday.
The top two will join Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, co-hosts Thailand and Indonesia and defending champions Singapore in the tournament proper in December.