Taiwan on Saturday secured a slot in the World Championship Final of the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup for the first time after a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic, and remains one of only two undefeated teams in the tournament.

Taiwan and the United States, the other undefeated team, secured the top-two spots in the final standings with a perfect 6-0 record and will meet in the last of the round robin matches Sunday at Villa Maria del Triunfo in Lima, Peru, ahead of the championship game Monday.

Regardless of whether Taiwan wins or loses the game against the U.S. on Sunday, the nation will still take part in its first-ever championship game in the junior category as the team’s best previous performance was a bronze medal in 1999 as host team and in 2011 in South Africa. Taiwan is also the fourth team to reach a final in the event after the U.S., Japan, and China.

Head coach of the Taiwan team Tsai Yu-chun (???) expressed her joy at clinching a spot in the final and said the players are excited to play against the U.S., which she described as a very strong team, on Sunday.

“We made history, so this latest game was very important and I am very happy that these children advanced to the championship match,” Tsai said.

During the game on Saturday Taiwan scored its run in the fourth inning to lead 1-0, after Lin Chi-yun (???) knocked out a double, followed by another hit by Li Hsin-yun (???) to send the runner home.

Meanwhile, Taiwan starting pitcher Ke Hsia-ai (???) gave up only three hits and struck out six batters over seven innings.

Taiwan kicked off its campaign on Dec. 6 by defeating Colombia 9-0, followed by Puerto Rico 4-0 and the Netherlands 11-5 on Dec. 8. They then recorded victories against Mexico 5-1 on Dec. 9, and hosts Peru 8-0 on Dec. 10.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel