After three weeks of action, it comes down to one game - the final between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Saudi Arabia Road To Final

South Korea (D) 1-1 Indonesia (W) 2-1 Bahrain (W) 4-0 Uzbekistan (W) 2-1 Japan (W)   3-2  

Going for a record fourth title, the Saudis are full of confidence. Helio Dos Anjos’s men have scored no less than 12 goals. If there were any doubts as to the quality of the Sons of the Desert, they were dispelled in the entertaining semi-final against defending champions Japan.

Some of the defending on the way to the showpiece game has not been textbook and Iraq will have watched with interest how Japanese corners spread panic in the ranks. If the three-time champions manage to keep it tight at the back, they certainly have firepower in attack. “Their forwards were fierce” said Shunsuke Nakamura.

Yasser Al-Qahtani has been on the radar for some time and while Malek Maaz was earmarked before the tournament as one to watch, his semi-final performance was excellent - the Japanese defenders are probably still dizzy from Maaz’s jinking run into the area for his second goal.

Iraq Road To Final

Thailand (D)   1-1 Australia (W)      3-1 Oman      (D)      0-0 Vietnam (W)     2-0 Korea (W)  0-0 – 4-3 on penalties

Whatever happens in Jakarta on Sunday evening, Iraq have already made history. Reaching the final for the first time has been a massive achievement for a team that hasn’t played a game in its homeland for 17 years.

Like his Saudi counterpart, Jordan Vieira has been in his hotseat just a matter of weeks but he has whipped the side into shape. Iraq haven’t been quite as impressive as the Saudis on the way to the final but the penalty shootout win over South Korea will live long in the memory.

Noor Sabri was the hero that day, saving a penalty from Yeom Ki-hoon. Before that, striker Younis Mahmoud was making headlines. The Desert Fox is responsible for half of the goals scored by the Lions of the Two Rivers. He may get some joy against a sometime porous defence, especially in the air – two of his strikes have been headers.

Recent history

For all the talk of Arabian brotherhood, the last meeting  between the two West Asian nations was a controversial one. A 1-0 Saudi win knocked Iraq out of the Gulf Cup in January.

What they said:

Iraq Coach Jorvan Vieira: “It will be a tough game, it’s a final with two good teams. “They have worked very hard from the beginning, fighting against many things. This we have done from the beginning. We have so many problems but the prize is tomorrow. The most important thing is that we have reached the final for the first time in Iraqi football. The people are happy and we have accomplished what the people wanted."

Saudi coach: Helio Dos Anjos. "It is the final and the final is always difficult. It is only one game and there are no favourites in this type of game because the winners will be champions. Both teams have their chances to win. We have a dream to be champions and Iraq also have their dream so there are no favourites for tomorrow."