DAY 2 BASEBALL 5 YOUTH ASIA CUP
Chinese Taipei continued their domination at the inaugural Baseball 5 Youth (U18) Asia Cup on the second day at the Berjaya Times Square Ballroom in Kuala Lumpur, to remain unbeaten with two victories for four straight wins over two days.
In the morning, Chinese Taipei defeated Korea 2-0, but after a convincing first game victory of 10-0, but they had a scare in the second, when they had to dig deep into their reserves to overcome a rejuvenated and determined Korea side 4-3.
In the afternoon, Chinese Taipei easily beat Singapore 2-0 (15-3; 18-0) to keep their unbeaten record intact.
Chinese Taipei are indeed a powerhouse in Baseball5 and women’s softball.
The Chinese Taipei national Baseball5 team who won the inaugural Asia Cup last year defeating Japan in the final here at the same venue in Kuala Lumpur, are ranked second in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) world ranking.
The World Baseball Softball Confederation launched the first-ever world rankings for Baseball 5 last month, which includes 43 countries or territories representing four continents.
The newly implemented world ranking system tracks the performance of a country’s National Team in the Baseball5 World Cups, including youth and top-tier levels, and continental events over a four-year period.
Baseball5 is WBSC’s new urban version of Baseball-Softball. This new 5-on-5 sport discipline was officially introduced by WBSC in 2017, where you need only bases, 1 ball and a filed-of-play measuring 1800 cm x 2100 cm. Hence the name “base + ball + 5”, Baseball5”.
Since its introduction, it has grown exponentially all over the world because of its “Sport made simple” concept. The Youth category of this new sport-discipline has been included in the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026.
In softball, Chinese Taipei’s women’s team are ranked 3rd in the world and their men’s are 19th in the world.
Chinese Taipei coach Lin Chao Huang confirmed that his team is here to wrest the title.
“Baseball5 is fast growing popular game in Chinese Taipei and after our senior team won the inaugural Baseball5 championship last year and are ranked second in the world, it has gained further momentum,” said the Shi Kuan Senior High School coach in Taichung.
“I am glad that we have lived up to expectation so far and looking forward to the final and wresting the title.”
Asked which country he sees as his likely opponent in the final, Lin said it would be anyone between host Malaysia, China or Korea.
India continued their losing streak going down to Singapore 2-0 (2-15; 2-13) in the morning and Malaysia in the afternoon when they went down 0-2 (0-15; 0-14).
However, India gave a better performance then the opening day, thanks to some coaching given by the Malaysian coach Winson Low on Wednesday after the first day matches ended. It saw India manage 4 runs against Singapore and keep the score respectable.
Malaysian coach Winson Low while happy with progress of him team, he said his team has not reached their optimum.
“The team is still at it’s 70 percent capability. I am happy with progress and our best is yet to come.” said Winson.
Malaysia’s crucial game to finish second after the opening rounds will be the match against China tomorrow, which will most probably be the do-or-die match for the placing for the Super Round.
Winson rated his team’s chance against China as 60-40.
“It is going to be a tough encounter, but I have watched their games and believe they have weakness which we can capitalise on,” said Winson.
In any case, should Malaysia lose to China which will see the later finish second and Malaysia third, they will have a second bite at the cherry when they meet again in the Super round and win can still see them reach the final.
China, remained the second team to be unbeaten, when they defeated Korea 2-0 (12-5; 9-1) and Hong Kong 2-0 (0-7;0-14), to make a strong claim for second spot, but tomorrow will be their crucial day, as they play Malaysia first and favourites Chinese Taipei in the final first round match.
Singapore, on the other, also stayed on course to battle to finish among the top four to qualify for the Super round the with the win over India for their second win in three matches but lost to Chinese Taipei 2-0 in their fourth match. Singapore has 2 wins and 2 losses after 4 matches.
Korea, who lost both their matches today against Chinese Taipei and China and who have only one win in four matches, mathematically still have a chance to finish among them top four, with an easier match tomorrow against Hong Kong and a survival match against Singapore
Hong Kong, like India have not won a match in four outings having lost in the last match of the day to China 2-0 (0-7;0-11)
RESULTS (2ND DAY OPENING ROUND)
Korea 0 Chinese Taipei 2 (0-10; 3-4)
Singapore 2 India 0 (15-2; 13-2)
Malaysia 2 Hong Kong 0 (14-2; 21-3)
China 2 Korea 0 (12-5; 9-1)
Chinese Taipei 2 Singapore 0 (15-3; 18-0)
India 0 Malaysia 2 (0-15;0-14)
Hong Kong 0 China 2 (0-7;0-14)
Tomorrow’s fixtures:
8.30am: Korea v Hong Kong
9.45am: Malaysia v Singapore
11.00am: Chinese Taipei v China
12.15pm: Hong Kong v India
2.45pm: China v Malaysia
4.00pm: India v Chinese Taipei
