AFC Futsal Championship Champions' Trophy

OSAKA: It is the final that had to happen.

In one corner, the hosts and reigning champions Japan.

In the other, the traditional kings of Asian futsal and seven-time winners IR Iran.

Today, at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium, these two teams that many predicted to face off for Asia ’s ultimate futsal prize will indeed meet in what promises to be an epic finale to complete this most fascinating of Championships.

Make no mistake; Japan and IR Iran have been the standout teams at this tournament.

Japan’s narrow semi final triumph over Kyrgyzstan was less than convincing, and IR Iran’s twelve-goal exchange with minnows Lebanon on the opening day wasn’t entirely in accordance with the dominance we have come to expect from the central Asians.

But importantly, the aforementioned results were merely minor blemishes on the road to a final appearance that both teams thoroughly deserve.

Japan’s march to the final began with a massive 16-0 triumph over the Philippines – the largest winning margin of these Championships.

Their next victory was half as impressive as their first, at least on the score board, as they put eight goals past Hong Kong whilst maintaining their clean sheet.

The hosts’ next opponents, Tajikistan, were the first team to the breach the Japanese goal – sliding two past Japanese ‘keepers Hisamitsu Kawahara and Ryota Ishiwata but also conceding six to see Japan conclude their Group A campaign with three straight wins and 30 goals to their name.

At both elimination stages, Japan has weathered valiant challenges from less fancied opposition.

Firstly, Thailand led twice before succumbing to a 9-6 defeat in the quarter finals in what was arguably the match of the tournament.

Lastly, Kyrgyzstan ’s determination and discipline almost cost Japan their place in the final, with Takuya Suzumura’s innocuous twelfth minute strike the only goal of the match and all that separated the reigning champions from their tenacious counterparts.

IR Iran’s progression to the showpiece match has been, with fleeting exceptions, almost effortless.

An opening day test against tournament surprise packet Lebanon saw the highly-fancied Iranian’s trail at one point before claiming an emphatic 8-4 win.

Lebanon would prove to be IR Iran’s sternest test in Group D, as best exemplified by Team Melli’s 15-1 and 8-0 thrashings of Malaysia and China PR respectively.

IR Iran’s next opponents, Australia , were virtual spectators throughout their quarter final match up – conceding eight goals and offering nothing in reply.

Finally, IR Iran’s semi final encounter against Uzbekistan loomed as their toughest assignment yet.

However, a combination of Uzbek indifference and vintage IR Iran attacking verve saw Hossein Shams’ charges march to an impressive 7-3 win.

Coming into today’s final, Japan has registered 40 goals of their own at these Championships, six fewer than IR Iran, and conceded eight, just one fewer than their traditional rivals.

Japan and IR Iran have met in four previous Championships finals, of which IR Iran has won all four.

Their monopoly over their regional rivals is virtually unparalleled in any of FIFA’s confederations, save for South America, where Brazil and Argentina have featured in over half of the CONMEBOL Championships finals.

Today’s meeting, the fifth of its kind between the unquestioned kings of Asian futsal, will surely contribute another fascinating chapter to the Shakespearean tale that is a match between the unyielding obedience of Japan and the inspired elegance of IR Iran.

Before the final kicks off, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will battle for third place.

The Uzbeks will be hoping to add another podium finish to their runners-up efforts in 2001 and 2006, while Kyrgyzstan will be eager to carry their form from last night’s slender loss to the Japanese into a match that will potentially earn the central Asian’s their best ever Championships finish.