The second matchday at Nonthaburi Stadium started at a furious pace with Bahrain racing to a commanding 3-0 lead inside the opening four minutes.

Alnood Alkhalifa started the goalrush with a deft touch to turn in Amira Sowar’s corner kick in the third minute.

Bahrain doubled their lead seconds later after Iraq custodian Faeza Mahmood spilled Eman Alkhattal’s free-kick with Sowar pouncing on the rebound.

A minute later, Iraq succumbed to another free-kick situation as Mahmood’s block from Hessa Alisa’s attempt fell in the path of Manar Yaqoob who coolly backheeled the ball home.

Iraq reduced the deficit in the 12th minute through Tbarek Alghazawi’s low free-kick past Zahra Ali.

However, Bahrain restored their advantage two minutes later with a counter attacking move converted by Leleya Sabkar before Yaqoob and Sowar both got their second of the game in the 15th minute to give Marcelino da Silva’s side a comfortable half-time lead.

A more balanced second half saw Iraq battling to reduce the arrears as they scored through Nadia Albalahi (26th) and Elaf Shareef (27th) after falling further behind to Sowar’s hat-trick strike in the 24th minute.

Alkhalifa (28th) increased Bahrain’s lead before Alaa Lami (34th) and an own goal by Sabkar (40th) reduced the arrears.

Alisa, however, scored right at the end to seal Bahrain the win and climb to the top on four points with Iraq remaining on one point ahead of their Wednesday’s fixture against Thailand.

Thailand showed their intentions right from the opening buzzer, forcing early saves from Sharlot Phillips in Palestine’s goal through efforts from Darika Peanpailun and Patitta Moolpho.

It didn’t take long for Thailand’s attacks to pay dividends as Arriya Saetoen’s cross from the left was inadvertently turned into her own goal by Narin Abuasfar in the eighth minute.

The hosts piled on the pressure and found the second goal in the 11th minute when Jenjira Bubpha latched onto a loose ball to lift home past a stranded Phillips.

Palestine were forced to defend deep but could do little to stop Thailand adding two more goals  with Arriya smashing home in the 17th minute before Jenjira struck from close range two minutes later.

After the break, Thailand picked up from where they left off - adding quickfire goals through Arriya (26th) and Darika (27th) before Palestine pulled one back when Sireen Ghattas’ long pass was poked in by Jeniver Shattara seconds later.

There was to be no Palestinian comeback though as Thailand reasserted their dominance quickly through a spectacular Sangrawee Meekham volley straight from Hataichanok Tappakun’s corner kick in the 32nd minute with Paerploy Huajaipetch’s 40th minute effort capping the victory.

Palestine will next face Lebanon on Wednesday.