Reika Utsugi belted a two-run homer in the first inning and Juri Takayama and Taeko Ishikawa combined to make it stand Saturday as Japan edged New Zealand 2-1 and finished the Olympic softball preliminary tournament with a perfect 7-0 record.
Japan will now face second-place Australia (6-1) in the first round of the playoffs for the medals in the Sydney Olympic Games on Monday. A win wouldput the surprising dark horse Japanese team into the gold medal final.
A loss, however, would force Japan to play the winner of the game between China and the United States for the bronze medal or a chance to play again for the gold.
After four straight extra-inning nail-biters, Japan made it relatively easy Saturday with Utsugi's first-inning clout to the left field bleachers. Takayama scattered four hits and a pair of walks over four scoreless innings. Ishikawa closed the door for the win.