Team Taiwan had a quiet day on the World Games medal front yesterday following a golden weekend, managing to score only a silver in softball.
The softball ladies had to settle for second place after they lost to Japan for the second time in two days at Kaohsiung’s Lide Baseball Stadium.
Losing 4-2 after Japan scored two runs in the seventh and final inning, the ladies were unable to exact revenge for an agonizing 2-1 overtime loss to Japan on Sunday night that saw them lose their unbeaten record.
PHOTO: SAM YEH, AFP
The ladies had earlier beat South Korea 7-0 in a repechage match to earn a place in the final.
Taiwan took an early lead, scoring in the first innings before Japan recovered, taking the lead after a two-run third inning. Taiwan, however hit straight back, claiming a run to level the scores one inning later.
Things remained tight over the next two innings, but Japan eventually took the honors with their late burst.
As the event is invitational, the teams receive medals but they do not count on the official medal tally.
Meanwhile, in the Korfball over at Kaohsiung Normal University Gym, Taiwan went down to a heavy 29-13 defeat against multiple world champions the Netherlands.
It was a subdued atmosphere in the packed gym as the Dutch team’s superior defensive play reduced Taiwan to scoring from free throws and hopeful long-range attempts. At half time it was 16-4.
The second half was a more even affair as Taiwan used quick passing exchanges to create spaces for shots, but by then the damage was already done.
Jos Roseboom was top scorer for the Netherlands with nine goals, while Andre Kuipers chipped in with five. For Taiwan, Chang Kuo-en top scored with five.
The loss means Taiwan will now play Russia in the bronze medal decider today.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s final match in a disappointing fistball campaign saw them beaten 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 by Chile in the fifth-sixth place playoff to leave Taiwan with the wooden spoon.
The gold medal match saw Brazil top Switzerland by four sets to one to win the title.
In earlier play, Austria defeated Germany four sets to one, 11-8, 3-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8, to secure the bronze medal in the third-fourth place playoff.
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