The sides met in last September’s Asian Indoor Games final in Ashgabat, with the Thais prevailing 3-1 to earn the gold medal, with Thursday’s winner-takes-clash providing an eagerly-anticipated sequel.

Speaking after Thailand registered a 6-1 quarter-final win over Chinese Taipei, head coach Udom Taveesuk said his side’s win against Japan last time gives them the confidence to dictate terms against the East Asians.

“We beat Japan 3-1 last time in the Asian Indoor Games so it’s not Japan, but Thailand who must try first to control the game,” he said.

“We have already prepared for other tactics, we have trained for the power play, but we must play our way first and try to control the game.”

Goals to Tian Jiao and Zhang Yue had Mozafar’s side facing a 2-1 first-half deficit, but the reigning champions levelled in the 16th minute before taking control of the game after half-time to advance to the final four with a 4-2 win.

After dominating the three-team Group D with 23 goals in two easy wins, it was Iran’s first real test at the tournament, and that’s exactly what they needed according to their tactical leader.

In a lively contest at the Huamark Indoor Stadium, both sides began brightly as they were evenly matched  in terms of possession and attempts on goal.

Uzbekistan welcomed back Laylo Tilovova as their custodian after she missed the group stage match against Islamic Republic of Iran, and she quickly proved her worth by pulling off several superb saves against Anna Amishiro and Ryo Egawa in the opening minutes.

Nilufar Kudratova came closest to opening the scoring for the Central Asians in the 14th minute when she received a pass to set up a one-on-one against Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamamoto just outside the box, who reacted swiftly to block the shot with her torso.

Japan’s persistence paid off from a set-piece a minute later, when Mio Fujita’s kick-in found Amishiro unmarked, who dribbled past the Uzbek defence before hitting home with a right foot shot to break the deadlock.

Both teams started strongly, trading blows early in the first half as they cancelled out each other.

Thailand coach Udom Taveesuk remained confident before the match despite missing tournament leading scorer Sasicha Phothiwong, who was out with a knee injury.

Taveesuk, who had seen his side find the back of the net 24 times in their group matches, went ahead after 17 minutes.

Darika Peanpailun broke the deadlock with a header from close range following a pinpoint cross from Jiraprapa Tupsuri.

Chinese Taipei however found the equaliser two minutes later when team captain Chen Pin-Hui caught Thailand goalkeeper Li I-Chieh napping following a cheeky lob from her  own half.