It was a furious start to the game as both teams traded attempts with Shimon Kobayashi and Daichi Tani blasting their respective efforts wide while Abdulrahman Sufyani clipped the top of the crossbar, all before five minutes had passed.

Japan, however, struck in the eighth minute after VAR spotted a handball infringement by Abu Baker Saeed with Taiga Seguchi stepping up to confidently dispatch his spot-kick past Abdulrahman Al Otaibi.

There was redemption for the central defender nine minutes later when Saudi Arabia were awarded a penalty of their own after Makoto Himeno hauled down Abdulaziz Al Fawaz with Saeed slotting home the equaliser.

Backed by their fans at Okaz Stadium, Saudi Arabia were more effervescent going forward and in the 37th minute, found the lead they were searching for. 

Nasser Al Fihani produced a precise diagonal pass to Sufyani on the right flank, who drove into the box and committed Japanese custodian Shuji Muramatsu before cutting the ball back for Sabri Dahal to send Saudi Arabia into the break with the advantage.

After the interval, Japan head coach Nozomi Hiroyama adjusted his frontline with Hiroto Asada and Minato Yoshida sent on as he looked to get the four-time champions’ attack going again but for one off-target Yoshida effort just before the hour mark, Saudi Arabia’s defence held firm.

That changed in the 72nd minute with both players involved as Japan drew level, Yoshida’s quick pass found Tani who released Asada through to slot past Al Otaibi as the match went to penalties.

Al Otaibi saved Yuito Kamo’s attempt with Shota Fujii and Ryota Hariu's efforts hitting the woodwork as Saudi Arabia stayed on course for a third title.