After a breath-taking week of action at Katara Beach, Oman, Japan and Iran were the three triumphant teams at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 AFC Qualifer Qatar. Oman clinched the title with a thrilling 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Japan, after the game ended in a 1-1 draw. One of the three Asian teams to qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015, finalists Japan have consistently provided some of the most thrilling games and goals at Katara Beach in Doha this week, and will be looking to go one better from their quarter-final showing at the last FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Looking back at their successful week in Doha, Japan's coach and captain were unanimous in calling this AFC Asian Qualifier Qatar 'bigger and better' than the last time the event was held in the Qatari capital in 2013.

year it is very nice and bigger than last time. There are more seats, more people in the stadium, and the organisation is like everything here in Qatar, very well organised. So we have enjoyed it very much. We were here to qualify for the World Cup, and there were so many good teams here," Japan coach Marcelo Mendes told www.sc.qa.

Looking forward to his team's campaign in Portugal this summer, the Brazilian added: "I think small details will be important in Portugal. Last time Japan played very good games against Brazil and against Russia. Beach soccer is growing in Japan, last year we started some regional leagues and clinics for players and coaches, so I think we are on the right way to discover more players."

The much-travelled coach added that he believed the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ would be another highly successful tournament: "This is my fourth time in Doha, and I think Qatar can do a very nice World Cup in 2022. I have seen many construction sites and improvements in the city, so I wish to come also in 2022 and watch the tournament. I wish the organisers all the best to do a very good tournament."

Japan's highly influential captain Ozu – who was also awarded as most valuable player of the tournament – agreed with the improved quality of the Asian Qualifier in Doha, saying the level of matches during the tournament had increased significantly: "Two years ago it was easier to qualify for the World Cup. This time around the players are much more technical, so this is definitely the best qualifier I have played in."

st before the final showdown which saw Oman crowned as Asian Champions, Iran secured their place in Portugal 2015 by beating Lebanon 8-3, while Qatar's match against F.C Barcelona in a friendly exhibition match enthralled the Katara Beach crowd.

Former China coach and coaching legend Bora Milutinovic was frequently seen on the stands throughout the tournament, and said: "Qatar has shown once more that it can successfully host important sports events."