Yukiko Ueno pitched eight shutout innings and Reiko Utsugi doubled home the winning run in the top of the eighth inning as Japan edged China 1-0 Sunday to guarantee themselves a medal in the Athens Olympic softball tournament.

Under the playoff system, Japan will face Australia, which lost to the United States 5-0, for a place in Monday's final. The loser of the game gets the bronze medal. (Kyodo News)

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=12&id=309596

Happily no japanese were injured during this game.

Well, the match was held in Athens (Greece). Beijing 2008 may be a different scenario altogether

Go Japan

Since when did China have softball???

No the chinese are not stupid. They wont let anything happen to japanese there. If anything something will happen from now up until the 08 games.

I can't believe Japan does not get gold even with professional softball leagues at home. They really suck.

Be proud that Japanese play such sissy games. Softball is for homos and girls. Well most Japanese try to either look like girls or well they like the c0ck.

i didn't know we have that either, i know taiwan is big at softball

warning and 3 day temp ban

I must admit I was expecting a gold in this field myself.

Based from the Asian Cup scenario, I think history would repeat itself...

eh from historical event japan has an excellent japanese league
and so on like that........first time baseball beated american
like crap....i mean litterly killed USA team......not once but twice
america couldn't believe they lost.....so yeah i have faith in the softball
team

GO JAPAN!!!!1

yeah. GO JAPAN!!!!! lol