Asian softball giants Japan, the 2004 Olympic bronze medalists, edged out Australia 2-1 Friday to top Pool B after their sixth straight win at women's softball worlds, the first Olympic test event in Beijing.

Japan and Australia shared a record of five wins out of five games to rival for the top spot in Pool B. Both teams built up strong defense to force the game into international tiebreaker after seven scoreless innings, which saw each team starting with a runner on the second base.

Amanda Doman was put on second base to start the top eighth, and Australia successfully brought her home to move forward at 1-0.

However their lead was short-lived as Japan came up with a single by Emi Naito to send Megu Hirose home. Afterwards, Eri Yamada ran home from second base over Sachilko Ito's single in the bottom of the ninth, sealing Japan a victory at 2-1 to clinch the top of Pool B.

Japanese starter Yukiko Ueno pitched all through the game, striking out nine with three hits and one run.

Australian starter Melanie Roche also cast a complete game, dropping five hits and two runs with five strikeouts.

Japan has ensured the top spot with a six-game winning streak consisting of six field wins and one automatic triumph over Colombia's abandonment.

"It is just the time that the real battle is going to start. I will do my best," Sachiko Ito, Japan Infielder, said of playoff matches.

"I can finally sigh to relax. (In the extra innings) I was thinking that I shouldn't give up no matter what happened," said Emi Naito, Japan shortstop.

"First of all, we should focus on each game (in playoff). The whole team will do their best to win," Naito added.

"Everybody was doing their best, and so was I. I concentrated myself to hold the Australians scoreless," Japan pitcher Yukiko Ueno said.

"The following games are connected with the ticket to the Olympics. So I will be more devoted and perform well."

The World Softball Championship is the first Olympic test event in Beijing with 16 teams competing in two pools, which will produce four spots (excluding China, the host) participating in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Source: Xinhua