The AFC was one of the first Confederations to introduce an elite futsal competition in the women’s game and the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship in Kuwait will see the Islamic Republic of Iran chase their third consecutive title after the reigning queens of Asian futsal captured the 2018 crown in Thailand as well as the inaugural 2015 edition in Malaysia.

A hat-trick to Sara Shirbeigi and further goals from veteran Fahimeh Zarei and an own goal by Misato Komura sealed a outstanding victory for Sharhzad Mozafar’s side, who also won the inaugural title in Malaysia three years ago.

Japan had the better of goalless first half but failed to capitalise, before Iran produced a blistering scoring burst, that included three goals in two second-half minutes, to take the game away from Kenichiro Kogure’s side.

Masami Kato had two shots in the first six minutes, before Mika Eguchi forced Iranian goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavasoli into an excellent save six minutes later, and volleyed over the crossbar after tricking her way into space not long after.

The Sharzad Mozafar-coached side, hailed the “Queens of Asia’ by the Iran media, was greeted by a crowd of supporters and officials as they continued to celebrate their second AFC Women’s Futsal Championship title won with a 5-2 win over Japan in Bangkok on Saturday.

The victorious players received bouquets of flowers and posed for pictures, with captain Nasimeh Gholami, Thailand 2018 Most Valuable Player Fershteh Karimi and Top scorer award-winner Sara Shirbeigi among the most sought-after individuals.

Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj was also on hand to welcome home the players, including the outstanding goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavassoli, whose teammates have nicknamed her the ‘Asian Eagle.’

The victory has been excitedly celebrated in the country, with football’s all-time international goal-scoring record-holder Ali Daei and current Team Melli head coach Carlos Queiroz just some of the football luminaries to pass on messages of congratulations.

Burgeoning Bangladesh’s dream start

Arriving in Bangkok with easily the youngest and least experienced squad in the tournament, Bangladesh made a start to remember.

In what was, for the overwhelming majority of Golam Robbani Choton’s team, their first competitive futsal match, the South Asians shocked 2015 semi-finalists Malaysia when 16-year-old Masura Parvin slammed home the opening goal in just the third minute.

Their lead lasted less than a minute, and they went on to lose all three of their Group B matches, but Parvin ensured Bangladesh’s young charges returned home with a least one moment to cherish.

Neto Antonio Hirata and Ryohei Ando were the Oceans' scorers as the Japanese outfit dashed Mes Sungun's bid to win back-to-back titles.

Yoshikawa played a key role in Oceans' campaign, which climaxed with the Japanese club winning a record-extending fourth AFC Futsal Club Championship title.

Yoshikawa, 30, was at the centre of Oceans triumph, which saw them lifting the title with a 100 percent record - including two wins over 2018 champions Mes Sungun Varzeqan of Islamic Republic of Iran.

In a thrilling contest which saw the Vietnam outfit trailing 2-0 and then 3-1 before leading 4-3, Thai Son Nam's Kazuya Shimizu struck twice in the final three minutes to settle the tie at the Bangkok Arena.