FINAL DAY BASEBALL 5 YOUTH ASIA CUP (EARLY REPORT)
Chinese Taipei continued their winning streak to qualify for the final after they defeated fourth placed Korea after the opening rounds, 2-0 (11-1; 1-0) in the Super round match this morning in the inaugural Baseball 5 Youth (U18) Asia Cup at the Berjaya Times Square Manhattan Ballroom in Kuala Lumpur
China, too booked their berth in the final defeating host Malaysia 2-0 (3-0; 3-1) after closely fought battle.
Both Chinese Taipei and China with the final berth confirmed, also qualified for the World Cup, leaving the third slot from Asia, to be determined between Malaysia and Korea in the third placing match.
Malaysia, having lost to China in the opening round (1-8; 4-6), were bent to seek revenge and make the final, but it was not to be, despite holding China for the first three innings in the first match and taking the lead in the second match.
While shortstop Andrew Soh did well with his catching, to put China out on numerous occasions, Malaysia failed to capitalise when it was their turn to bat.
Even a change of strategy by coach Winson Low to switch third base Nurin Liana Mohd Zan with second base S. Kunaalan, surprised China, but still was not able to contain them mainly because the Malaysian players looked anxious and nervous.
Indeed an interesting match is store for the final and third placing match.
Chinese Taipei had defeated China in the opening rounds in a close fought battle 2-1 (1-6;11-0;7-4) while Malaysia had defeated Korea in another close match 2-1 (2-5; 14-0; 5-3).
Malaysia’s Winson agreed that it was going to be another close match, but was confident of a victory and book the third World Cup slot.
Chinese Taipei coach Lin Chao Huang, on the other hand said they had come here to wrest the title and having remained unbeaten in reaching the final, do not intend to see that record broken.
Earlier, India has the dubious honour finish wooden spoonist when they lost both their placement matches to Hong Kong (3-10) and Singapore (1-16)
Hong Kong, on the other hand in revenge defeat of Singapore (11-7) earned the 5th spot in the competition, while Singapore had to settle for 6th spot.
In the opening round, Singapore ha defeated Hong Kong 2-1 (13-12; 1-19; 11-10).
TODAY’S FINAL DAY RESULTS:
(Placement matches are over one match and Super round matches are best of three matches).
India (QR 7) 3 Hong Kong (QR 6) 10 – Placement round
Korea (QR 4) Chinese Taipei (QR 1) – 2-0 (1-11; 0-1) Super round
India (QR 7) 1 Singapore (QR 5) 16 – Placement round
Malaysia (QR 3) China (QR 2) – 0-2 (1-3; 1-3)Super round
Hong Kong 11 (QR 6) Singapore 7 (QR 5) – Placement round
(SR 4) (SR 3) – Malaysia v Korea (Medal round – 3rd placing)
(SR 2) SR 1) – Chinese Taipei v China (Final)