Saudi Arabia will now meet Iraq in the all-Gulf team final on July 29 in Jakarta, while Japan will contest the third-place play-off against South Korea a day earlier in Palembang, Indonesia.

Japan, who beat the Saudis 1-0 in both the 1992 and 2000 finals, dominated possession in the opening exchanges and passed the ball around their defensive-minded opponents.

Urawa Reds midfielder Keita Suzuki sent a through ball to Seiichiro Maki in the 15th minute, but the JEF United forward was a second too late in reaching the ball.

While struggling to break through the Saudi defence, the Japan players started making mistakes in the middle of the park and consequently the Saudis found their attacking form halfway through the first period.

Yasser Al Qahtani scared the Japanese side with his effort in the 25th minute and so did Malek Maaz two minutes later.

But Al Qahtani was not to be denied in the 35th minute when he put the Saudis ahead.

Taisir Al Jassam headed an Abdulrahman Al Qahtani free-kick to the 24-year-old, who struck the opener with a volley from 10 yards out.

But the defending champions responded two minutes later when Yuji Nakazawa dashed forward to head home a Yasuhito Endo corner.

Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura came close to putting Japan ahead in first-half stoppage time but his free-kick whistled past the woodwork, much to the relief of the Saudi Arabia players.

But two minutes after the break, the Middle Eastern side stole ahead again as Malek Maaz headed home an Ahmed Al Bahri cross.

Japan, who lacked their usual momentum, rallied and forced Saudi goalkeeper Yasser Al Mosailem to punch out a shot from Kengo Nakamura in the 52nd minute.

And a minute later their efforts paid off as Maki headed on an Endo corner to Yuki Abe, who grabbed the equaliser with a fine volley.

But once again the goal glut continued as Saudi Arabia struck the decisive goal in the 57th minute.

Malek Maaz latched on to a ball from Abdulrahman Al Qahtani and beat Nakazawa and Abe on the left side of the box to fire home from close range to make it 3-2.

The Saudis, who won the Cup in 1984, 1988 and 1996, threatened the Japanese goal again when substitute midfielder Ahmed Al Mousa fired over in the 76th minute.

Japan coach Ivica Osim made substitutions halfway through the second half, sending on forward Hisato Sato and midfielder Naotake Hanyu in an attempt to regain the momentum.

And Hanyu almost made an immediate impact as he hit the crossbar in the 81st minute.

Celtic midfielder Nakamura also came close five minutes from time with a mid-range attempt, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.

Nakamura had another chance with a corner kick in stoppage time but his attempt was cleared out by a defender before the final whistle was blown, cueing celebrations from Saudi Arabia.