HO CHI MINH CITY: Japan overcame a big scare in the semi-finals to edge past Kyrgyzstan 4-3 into the final of the AFC Futsal Championship on Thursday.

Japan, who have lost thrice to Iran in the final of this event, dug deep into their vast reservoir of experience at the Phu Tho Stadium to overturn a two-goal first half deficit against the impressive Kyrgyz.

Nurjan Djetybaev showed the way for the Kyrgyz with a fine hat-trick in the fifth, 13th and 19th minutes while Japan could score just one goal in the first period through Takahashi Kensuke in the 20th minute.

The Japanese got going in the second half after some tough talking from coach Sapo. Kogure Kenichiro started reducing the margin a minute into the restart from the right flank and then added his second two minutes later to tie the score.

With the match evenly poised, Sapo's boys made their big match temperament count and Suzumura Takuya let loose a thunderbolt in the 27th minute after some excellent co-ordination to make it 4-3.

With the advantage, however slim, in their favour, Japan battened down the hatches. Kyrgyzstan's Emil Kenjisariev and Daniar Abdyraimov tried hard to breach their rivals' defence but failed. "Kyrgyzstan knew well what we were going to do in the first half," said Sapo after the match. "We changed our strategy in the second half and this reinvigorated our players."

"Before this match we had a very tough game against Thailand and we were under a lot of pressure going into this match. So I told the players to put their heart into it and move faster."

Kyrgyz coach Nurtaziv Djetybaev was not surprised with the result. "I am not surprised because our players are young and inexperienced," said Djetybaev. "Our defence and tactical play was very good in the first half but the Japanese are very strong and good movers."

"We could not score in the second half because we were unlucky."

Japan will now meet six-time champions Iran in the final on Saturday.