Chinese softball team secures berth at 2018 worlds

BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China finished fourth at the Asian Softball Championships to secure their berth at the 2018 Women's Softball World Championships in Japan.

A total of 12 teams competed in the Asian Softball Championships which concluded in the city of Taizhong on Monday. China beat Iran, India, Indonesia and Singapore and lost to Chinese Taipei in the group stage en route to enter the playoff stage under the page system.

After losing 0-7 to Japan and defeating South Korea 4-1, China clinched a top-four place but failed to make it any further after losing 3-4 in a close match against the Philippines.

Japan claimed the continental title after beating the Philippines in the final while the bronze medal went to Chinese Taipei.

According to the qualificatin rules, apart from the hosts Japan the next top three teams can qualify for the 2018 Women' s Softball World Championships slated for Aug. 2 to 12 in Chiba, Japan. And the top six teams can also qualify for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Enditem