Lebanon 0-3 Palestine
Palestine got off to a great start, taking the lead after three minutes when Hala Sarawi smashed a free-kick into the top corner after Nour Youssef had been fouled.
Dima Alrumhi went close again shortly after but this time, Lebanon custodian Elite Tannous was up to the task to prevent her side from going further behind.
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Lebanon gradually began to see more of the ball as the first half progressed but efforts from Malak Hotait, Sophie Fayad and Amal Salha could not find a way past an alert Miraf Marouf in Palestine’s goal.
Lebanon started the second half aggressively with Riwa Ezeddine dragging a shot wide but a lapse in concentration at the back saw Palestine extend their lead.
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Having already produced a great save to deny Alrumhi, the resulting corner kick in the 25th minute saw a completely unmarked Youssef sweeping home from the edge of the semi-circle of Lebanon’s goal.
Chasing the game, Lebanon had opportunities to reduce the gap but efforts from Marie Tikle and Fayad were saved by Marouf before Hotait struck the post in the 32nd minute.
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Palestine, however, went on to add a third in the 39th minute through Youssef, capitalising on Lebanon’s power play to roll the ball into an empty net as her side bounced back from Monday’s 8-1 defeat to Thailand to move onto four points while Lebanon remained on one point.
Friday’s schedule sees Lebanon taking on Iraq with Palestine not in action.
Thailand 7-1 Iraq
Brimming with confidence after Monday’s win, Thailand laid siege to Iraq’s goalmouth from the opening whistle with Sangrawee Meekham going close in the sixth minute as she crashed an effort against the crossbar.
The opening goal came in the seventh minute when Sangrawee’s driven cross was turned into her own net by the unfortunate Bahra Dara.
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Against the run of play, Iraq equalised in the 10th minute after Elaf Shareef broke through on a counter attack before shooting past Suksen Sasiprapha.
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Thailand responded by retaking the lead two minutes later when Darika Peanpailun tapped in from close range after team mate Jenjira Bubpha had scuffed her initial effort with Arriya Saetoen then striking from an acute angle to give the Southeast Asian side a 3-1 lead at half-time.
Faeza Mahmood was in inspired form at the start of the second half as she stood tall despite Thailand peppering her goal with shot after shot.
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Thailand’s persistence was eventually rewarded in the 30th minute when Haitachanok Tappakun’s clever corner kick found Paerploy Huajaipetch in space with the Thai No. 8 duly dispatching her shot into the net.
The hosts were in rampant mood and added more goals through Jenjira Bubpha (33rd, 35th) and Lalida Chimpabut (39th) to claim a second successive win as they climbed to the top of Group A on six points.
Thailand will face fellow unbeaten side Bahrain in Friday’s match.
