Japan will wrap up round robin play with a perfect 7-0 record since their game Saturday was scheduled to be against Colombia, who withdrew on Monday and thus forfeits each scheduled game.  It will go in the books as a 7-0 win for Japan, which will mean they' ll finish as the top seed in Pool B.

 

The first actual game of Day 7 will see DPR Korea take on New Zealand.  Both of these teams have been eliminated from the playoff hunt, so pride will be the only thing at stake.  Of note, however, is the fact that other than their loss to USA, DPR Korea' s (1-5) average margin of defeat has been just one-and-a-half runs.  The Kiwis (2-4) should take note.

 

In one of two games that might be considered the highlight' s of Saturday' s schedule, Italy will take on Great Britain in what will determine the final playoff spot in Pool A.  Whoever wins will move on, since the Brits come in at 3-3 and the Italians are 2-4.  Great Britain has started sneaking up on teams and Italy is certain to probably consider the tournament below expectations already, so this could come down to a mental game.

 

Venezuela (4-2) has a lock on the three seed in Pool B as they head into their final round robin game, versus Botswana (1-5).  Despite facing an opponent whose only win was the forfeit game against Colombia, a good win by Venezuela could certainly be a shot in the arm to get them ready for a playoff game the next day.  Botswana' s flight home might be a little less depressing if they could go out on a winning note.

 

China versus Canada is a marquee matchup in the sense that they' re two teams that have tasted victory on a fairly regular basis throughout this XI Women¡¯s World Championship.  However, since both have already clinched playoff spots, the mind games begin on whether or not they go all out and risk injury or expose tendencies to possible playoff opponents or if they each hold back a little.  These are world class athletes though, so this is still sure to be an entertaining game nonetheless.

 

USA will go from having played a team on Friday night (China) that came in unbeaten to facing a team on Saturday (South Africa) that is winless.  There almost seem to be two different South African teams ¨C one that has fallen mightily to the Pool A powerhouses and the other which has been in games decided by an average margin of defeat of just over three runs.  Not having had the same benefit of a forfeit game, South Africa, like their fellow Africans from Botswana, would love to fly home with ONE victory, especially over the defending world champions.

 

Chinese Taipei takes on Greece in a game to determine the final Pool B playoff spot.  Each team is 3-3 and has been somewhat even in the past, what with Chinese Taipei having won the round robin game between the two teams at the 2004 Olympics, but Greece having won at the 2003 U.S. Cup.  Greece is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Venezuela

 

though, and their lack of international competition in 2006 could be the difference.  Only  time will tell. Chinese Taipei would love to be able to continue its attempt to repeat as a medalist, as was the case at the last ISF Women' s World Championship (bronze, 2002).

 

The night will close with the Netherlands taking on Australia.  The Aussies (5-1) have locked in the number two seed in Pool B while the Netherlands (2-4) have been eliminated from playoff contention.  Following a disappointing extra innings loss to Japan on Friday, Australia might use this as a statement game, at the expense of the Dutch.  Head Coach Fabian Barlow' s lineup will be interesting to watch since this is his only chance to rest any players who might not be at 100%.  Don' t expect the Netherlands to go down without a fight.