The two teams were victorious in contrasting circumstances, though, at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok.

Defending champions Iran took the lead within the opening five minutes and never looked under threat in a 5-0 thrashing of Vietnam.

Veteran Fahimeh Zarei scored one and provided two assists against a team which had won every game before today.

"The first half was brilliant for us," said Iran head coach Shahrzad Mozafar.

"It was a very good start. 

"We had confidence and at the beginning of the game our plan was to put pressure on the Vietnam team and I think it worked well for us. 

"I think this match was the best match for the Iran team and the best performance from our players."

Japan had a far tougher encounter in the second match against hosts Thailand.

They took the lead five-minutes in courtesy of Ryo Egawa.

Thailand fought-back, however, despite the sending-off of quarter-final hat-trick hero Mutita Senkram.

Jenjira Bubpha tied the scores level before Masami Kata scored a winner for Japan with just seven minutes to go.

A rest day will take place tomorrow before the final and third-place playoff on Saturday.