Today it was the turn of Korea, in the morning, and DPR Korea in the afternoon, and Japan maintained their reputation as the only unbeatable team of the competition. Japan has beaten every other participating team and must surely be assured gold.
Japan are the overall favourites, ithey already won gold in Busan 2002, and Chinese Taipei are rated joint favourite for silver with China, a result they achieved at the last Asian Games. That said, they will need to play the second best team again in the final to confirm their dominance, and certainly silver medallists China look set to pose a potential threat.
In this morning's match against Korea Japan steamed through the opposition, wrapping up the game 8-1 in a demonstration match of their power and determination. The Japanese took advantage of poor defensive play by the Korean and a two-run home by Yuka Suzuki of Japan to win their third straight game and hand Korea their third consecutive loss. Japan sealed the victory in the fourth inning when Sachiko Ito hit a single that scored two runners and extended the lead 5-1.
For the rest of the competition, Japan's shortstop Emi Naito believes China is the team to watch, "Maybe china will be the toughest game for the tournament. In total, China is a stronger pitching and hitting team."Â Even so, Japan already defeated China in a first game, although by the tightest margin of any game Japan has played so far, 3-2.
The second match saw China rack up a convincing win over Chinese Taipei, who on present form will be, at best, relegated to bronze medal. The China summarily dispatched their opponents 5-2.
The third match of the day say Japan play again, this time against DPR Korea, who they beat 1-6.
15th Asian Games, Doha 2006
Posted December 12th, 2006 by COBA
