Japan dethroned Islamic Republic of Iran with an impressive 8-4 win in Thursday’s semi-final, having forced extra-time when they came from behind to tie the match 4-4 with just 40 seconds on the clock. 

Japan then turned on the power in extra time with four different goalscorers, including Yuki, to walk away with the win and an inaugural place in the final.

It was a match worthy of a final, as it featured two teams with intense rivalry.

Japan, who were making their first semi-final appearance, had a bright start when goalkeeper Tabuchi Hiroshi’s long throw found Takehiro Motoishi in the box, but Takahashi Yudai shot the subsequent pass straight at Mohammadali Niknamtorghabe.

Japan will face the winners of the Islamic Republic of Iran or Lebanon in Thursday's semi-finals.

The tie was a repeat of the 2017 quarter-final, where Iraq emerged victors, but this was a different Japanese side and the match began as expected, with both teams applying heavy pressure from the start. 

Iraq’s Al Muwafaq Al Rubaye had the first real chance of the game in the second minute when he let loose a strike from distance but failed to keep his shot down, before Japan had their own opportunity a minute later after Osawa Masashi intercepted a back pass, but he too missed by inches.

Japan, who defeated Tajikistan 3-1 in their opening match, will play Group D runners-up Iraq in the quarter-finals, while Vietnam will face Indonesia.

Despite having sealed their places in the quarter-finals, both teams began brightly as they went in search of an early goal.

In the semi-final against Afghanistan on Thursday, Indonesia came back from a goal down twice to force the game into extra time.

Seyed Hossein Mousavi and Dawood Yousufi then gave the Central Asians a two-goal lead, which compelled the young Garuda to go on the offensive with Muhammad Sanjaya scoring in the final minute to reduce their deficit, but it was too little too late.

Afghanistan will face the winners of the Islamic Republic of Iran-Japan semi-final, being played later on Thursday, in Saturday's final.

Both sides were making their first appearance in the semi-finals, with Afghanistan maintaining their high tempo style of play to force Indonesia to be on high alert at the Pour Sharifi Indoor Stadium.

Indonesia, however, were far from overawed by Afghanistan’s aggression and the Southeast Asians signalled their intent when Muhammad Rizki Xavier’s shot in the first minute forced goalkeeper Mohammad Javad Safari into action.

Afghanistan, who have stated their aim is to emerge champions, will play Indonesia in the semi-finals on Thursday.

The match was expected to be a cracker as Afghanistan and Thailand were impressive en route to the knockout stage but it was the Southeast Asians who started the brighter and tested goalkeeper Mohammad Javad Safari in the opening minute.