Japan threatened early, with goalkeeper Takeru Furusato launching a long-range effort within the first minute, but Saudi Arabia's Hassan Aleid reacted swiftly to punch the ball away.

The West Asians grew into the game and nearly broke the deadlock in the fourth minute when goalkeeper Hassan played a precise ball to Ahmed Alhamami on the left flank, whose acrobatic volley was tipped over by Furusato.

The stalemate finally ended in the final seconds of the first period when Takaaki Oba latched onto a throw from Furusato and unleashed a bicycle kick towards the Saudi Arabia goal. The ball bounced off Hassan before rolling into the bottom left corner of the net.

The West Asians did not take long to find their equaliser, with Majed Shamhani firing in a left-footed free-kick, sending the ball past Furusato into the right corner of the Japan goal.

Teruki Tabata’s men regained their lead shortly after when Takumi Uesato's precise volley found Chikara Eguro, who produced a stunning overhead strike that flew past a rooted Hassan and settled in the net. 

Substitute goalkeeper Yusuke Kawai nearly extended the lead for Japan with 20 seconds remaining before the second break, but his powerful left-footed strike was blocked by Hassan.

Japan extended their lead in the closing seconds with Ozu Moreira adding his name to the scoresheet to seal their place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in May.