The Iranian team have produced a trio of memorable wins in the knockout rounds, culminating in edging past Qatar’s Al Sadd in the semi-finals less than two weeks ago to raise hopes of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s first AFC Champions League title.

But they now face arguably their biggest test yet following the long trip to Japan against a Kashima side who were unbeaten in the quarter- and semi-finals and have scored 11 goals in their past five games on the continent.

Beiranvand showed that in the second leg of the semi-final against Qatar's Al Sadd.

The score was 1-1 with just four minutes to go, a goal for Al Sadd would have effectively taken them to the AFC Champions League final at the expense of Persepolis. The ball was crossed for Spanish legend Xavi, who was left with a free header from just seven yards.

Nine times out of then, this play would have resulted a goal, but as the 81,000 fans present at Azadi Stadiums fell to complete silence, the Persepolis goalkeeper had different ideas. Beiranvand produced an impossible reflex save to tip Xavi’s header behind and rescue his team.

“Our objective is to reach the final and we promise our fans that we will,” said Persepolis' central defender Hosseini after scoring late in the second half to propel his side past Al Jazira and into the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-finals on away goals.

Six months on, Hosseini’s words echo fresh as Persepolis find themselves exactly where their skipper had promised – 180 minutes away from delivering the Islamic Republic of Iran’s first AFC Champions League title.

Kashima are Japan’s most successful club, but despite claiming eight league titles, six League Cups, and five Emperor’s Cup crowns the Ibaraki giants have never tasted victory in Asian competition.

However, Nishi believes everything is in place for the team to put things right on that front this year.

The Japanese club host Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis in the first leg in Ibaraki on Saturday and Moriyasu said Kashima have to target a resounding win.

"As a Japanese, I desperately want Kashima to win the AFC Champions League final but I have to admit that Persepolis are worthy opposition and they too have an equal chance of winning," said Moriyasu.

Not only is the 34-year-old shot-stopper playing in his third continental decider, he is also aiming to keep his one hundred percent record alive to become the first player to win three AFC Champions League titles since the competition was revamped in 2003.

In fact, were it not for having to perform his mandatory military service in 2011 and 2012, which saw him join military side Sangju Sangmu Phoenix on loan from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, this would be his fourth continental decider after Jeonbuk also made the final in 2011.

Coming back from two goals down in a semi-final is an impressive feat in itself, but doing so twice over two legs, as Japan's Kashima did against Korea Republic's Suwon Samsung Bluewings, requires an impressive degree of mental resilience and self-belief - a quality needed at the highest level of the Continental game.

And, indeed, it is this quality that Japan international Doi insists has helped a battle-hardened Kashima side reach their maiden AFC Champions League final.