The victory took Bahrain to 12 points, one ahead of Iraq who have a match in hand with Islamic Republic of Iran up next for Helio Sousa's side on Monday. Iran defeated Hong Kong 3-1 in their match to move nine points.

It was a crucial victory for the Central Asians who had suffered consecutive defeats to Iraq and Bahrain before the Asian Qualifiers were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The win took Iran to nine points as they stayed in sight of group leaders Iraq and Bahrain, who they face next on Monday.

Palestine went into the match needing a win to climb up the group standings, and they duly delivered the win in expert fashion as they brushed aside Singapore, taking full control of the first half and holding their ground in the second as they saw out the win.

The result did neither team a favour for their qualification hopes with Afghanistan moving to five points while Bangladesh are on two points.

Up next for Bangladesh are India on Monday, while Afghanistan will face Oman on June 11 with both teams' hopes of automatically advancing to the third round of the Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 hanging in the balance.

Ahead in an instant through captain Mathew Leckie’s goal, the Socceroos proved much too strong for the group hosts, with Jackson Irvine and Ajdin Hrustic also getting on the scoresheet in a commanding performance.

The result puts Australia five points clear of both Kuwait and Jordan at the top of Group B, meaning wins in their next two matches against Nepal and Chinese Taipei will confirm them as the group winners with a game to spare.

Anjan Bista opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the blink of an eye before substitute Nawayug Shrestha doubled the lead late on, repeating the result from the two sides’ previous meeting in Taipei on Matchday Two.

Already out of Qatar 2022 contention prior to Thursday’s match, the result keeps Chinese Taipei in last place without a point from six matches, six points adrift of Nepal.

Ali Mabkhout struck in each half to help the Whites secure three vital points, with his double taking him past Lionel Messi and Sunil Chhetri as the second highest scoring active player in international football, only behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.