Players of Japan pose during the awarding ceremony after the water polo men's final match between Kazakhstan and Japan at the 18th Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

JAKARTA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- One goal make a big difference as the defending champion Kazakhstan came from behind to beat pace setter Japan 8-7 for the men's water polo title while Iran managed a narrow victory over China 16-15 for the bronze medal at the Asian Games here on Saturday.

In the gold medal match, Japan took the lead but was turned down in the last quarter by the Kazakhstan players 3-2, 2-0, 2-3, 0-3.

After a hard battle 8-8, Iran and China had to play the penalty shoot-out while Iran edged China 8-7 for the bronze medal.

South Korea beat Singapore 12-10 for the fifth place and Saudi Arabia trounced Indonesia 12-8 for the seventh place.

A total of nine teams are competing in the men's water polo at the 2018 Asian Games. Kazakhstan has won six of the last seven titles, including the two most recent editions in 2010 and 2014.