Clubs will be divided into four groups and have been seeded according to the final ranking from last year's tournament in Yogyakarta, Indonesia - with position A1 reserved for the side representing hosts Thailand - Port Futsal Club.

The Thai club will be making their return to the Continental stage for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2010 when they finished fourth, at the expense of traditional powerhouses and two-time winners, Bluewave Chonburi.

Mes Sungun continued IR Iran’s proud record in the competition when they became the fourth Iranian club to win the Continental club championship.

They join the ranks of Foolad Mahan (2010), Giti Pasand Isfahan (2012) and Tasisat Daryaei (2015).

Mes Sungun started their campaign as title favourites despite being newcomers in the tournament. The club followed the script and marched easily into the Knockout Stage.

Mes Sungun captain Farhad Fakhim scored two goals in each half and was instrumental in steering Mes Sungun to their maiden title. The Iranian, who had a loan spell with Indonesia's Vamos FC this year, was happy but was quick to point out that the focus now will be to defend the title.

"Winning the championship may be tough, but keeping it is another thing all together. So we have to repeat this. I respect Thai Son Nam, they played very well, they have a good coach who is very tactical and their speed was remarkable. They made it very hard for us today.

"It will be a challenge for us to defend this title. But we are Iranians and who knows," said Fakhim.

 

Waleed Khalid Al Mayali gave Nafit the lead in the second minute after Hasan Ali Jabbar broke free from the left on a counter and his delivery found Al Mayali, who slotted home.

The Iraqi club looked to have the match under control with Jabbar often the orchestrator of Nafit’s attacks as they pressed Beirut into their own half.

But Beirut woke up from their slumber as they quickened the pace and were soon in Nafit’s half. Mohamad Kobeissy found Mahdi Javid lurking in the box and the Iranian equalised for Beirut with a simple tap-in.

The Lebanon club took control of the match after that and Patrick Vieira Luz put Beirut in front in the 11th minute with a clever chip over Nafit goalkeeper Omar Sabti Jumaah.

 

Javid also emerged the top scorer with 12 goals, ahead of Mes Sungun Varzagan’s Hossein Tayebibidgoli and Bluewave Chonburi Suphawut Thueanklang who both scored eight goals.

The awards are Javid’s first in the AFC Futsal Club Championship, having emerged top scorer at the Asian Indoor Games in 2009 and 2017 for Islamic Republic of Iran.

Javid’s hat-trick inspired Beirut to a 5-3 Victory over Iraq’s Nafit Al Wasat in the third-place playoff on Sunday. The marksman had found the net in every match for Bank of Beirut as he ended the tournament with his third hat-trick.

"I want to thank the entire Bank of Beirut family, the coaching staff and my teammates who have helped me throughout this tournament. Without them, I would not have achieved what I have today.

"I'm very happy to win the MVP, it was a difficult tournament for Bank of Beirut but we won third place today. All the goals I scored were for my team and that's a very good achievement for me. Congratulations to all the Bank of Beirut fans, I love you all.

"There will be no rest for me. In two weeks' time, I will be back home and playing in the Iranian Futsal Super League with Giti Pasand," said Javid.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Nafit Al Wasat - who finished fourth - received The Fair Play Award.

Nafit had been outstanding throughout the tournament, showing tremendous fighting spirit.

Photo: AFC

While Islamic Republic of Iran’s Mes Sungun Varzaghan cruised into the final, Vietnam club Thai Son Nam had to fight to earn their place in the tournament showpiece.

the-AFC.com speaks to both teams ahead of the title showdown.

With majority of their players representing national teams, the match promises to be an explosive encounter as the two sides have met before in the quarter-finals of the 2015 edition in Isfahan with Iraqi side Nafit edging their opponents 3-2 on penalties after a 4-4 deadlock.

Most recently, Iraq came out tops in the 2018 AFC Futsal Championship quarter-finals in Chinese Taipei to win the tie 9-8 following a gruelling 20- penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2.