The Asian contenders, who qualified after finishing as the top three sides in March’s AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019, will look to follow in the footsteps of Islamic Republic of Iran, who reached the semi-finals in the previous edition in the Bahamas two years ago.

Along with Japan and UAE, Oman sealed their spot as Asia’s three representatives in the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup which will take place in Paraguay in November this year. Oman, who will feature on the world stage for the third occasion, defeated Palestine 2-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the third-place play-off just hours before Sunday’s final.

The AFC President said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to congratulate Japan for their performance and consistency in Thailand. We must also praise UAE who displayed great skill in what was a thrilling final.

“Asia has a proud history on the world stage in beach soccer with Islamic Republic of Iran claiming third place in the last edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas and I am confident Japan, UAE and Oman will continue our remarkable legacy in Paraguay and build on the undeniable rise of the sport.”

The East Asians emerged as champions after an epic, arm-wrestle of a final against United Arab Emirates, with Takaaki Oba finally delivering the knockout blow to seal victory in a penalty shootout after the match finished 2-2 on Sunday.

Ramos, who won the AFC Asian Cup with Japan as a footballer in 1992 after arriving in the country 15 years earlier, revealed his elation at sealing the momentous win.

Hilal's men had been 2-0 down with just eight minutes remaining in the all-important play-off for third at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019, but two goals in three minutes from Al Bulushi took the match to penalties, where Oman prevailed 2-1.

"Now I can breathe," said the Omani head coach, who guided the West Asians to the Finals in 2011 and 2015.

"It was not an easy game. As I have said, I respect any team, and the game was tough. There was only chance if you wanted to go to the World Cup, and today was the chance for two teams."

Ozu was voted the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while his nine goal-haul in Japan's six matches also saw the towering star claim the Top Goal Scorer Award, one ahead of teammate Shusei Yamauchi.

The dual awards are the latest in a long line of accolades for the Brazilian-born Ozu, who has been voted one of the world's 'Top Five' at the Beach Soccer Stars Awards for four of the last five calendar years.

He was also voted best player in the 2013 and 2015 editions of the Asian Beach Soccer Championship, which were staged before the tournament came under the AFC's umbrella.

Takaaki Oba was the man who slammed home the winning penalty, after Masuyaki Komaki and Ozu Moreira scored Japan's goals during a gripping and high-quality decider.

UAE valiantly fought back from 2-0 down thanks to two goals in two minutes from Ali Mohammad, but the West Asians couldn't find a third, meaning the match was decided by spot-kicks.

Both sides will represent Asia at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay, along with Oman, who won the third place play-off earlier in the day.

Oman had been 2-0 down with just eight minutes remaining, but a rapid-fire brace from Sami Al Bulushi forced a shootout, with Talib Hilal's side prevailing in dramatic fashion.

Having reached the semi-finals for the first time, Palestine's loss means their dream of a maiden Beach Soccer World Cup appearance in Paraguay ends in heartbreaking fashion at the final hurdle.