For the second time in two years, Kashima were beaten in the competition by Real, though Wednesday’s clash in Abu Dhabi saw a more comfortable victory for Los Blancos than the 2016 final in Hiroshima.

Despite facing a star-studded Madrid line-up, Oiwa had insisted before the game that he would set his team up to attack.

But after a promising start, Kashima faded and were ultimately overpowered by the European champions, who were inspired by a Gareth Bale hat-trick at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

Al Ain earned their place in the FIFA Club World Cup final following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over River Plate after a pulsating 2-2 draw in regulation time at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, one of the eight venues for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 which kicks off on January 5.

This is the first time a West Asian team has ever reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup where they will face Spanish giants and defending champions Real Madrid who defeated 2018 AFC Champions League winners Kashima Antlers 3-1.

Kashima managed to keep the European champions at bay for 44 minutes but a devastating spell either side of half-time consigned them to a 3-1 defeat and a third-place playoff against River Plate. 

When Kashima and Real last did battle in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final it was a Cristiano Ronaldo treble that proved the difference but this time it was Los Blancos’ Welsh wizard showing his ruthless streak in front of goal.

A 5-4 penalty shootout victory over South American champions River Plate saw Al Ain become the first Emirati side to reach the final of the tournament.

It was the second time in three matches that Al Ain were taken to penalties, with Mamic’s side showing admirable endurance given a brutal recent fixture pile-up.

And the Croatian admitted he could barely believe how deep his players were able to dig for the victory.