By Sportswriter Zhang Rongfeng

    BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Australia ousted Canada 7-2 on Monday to recover their chance to reach the grand final after losing the first playoff game to the United States 11-2 at women's softball worlds.

    The Canadians squandered their best chance to score in the top of the third inning when they got bases loaded with only one out but the following two batters produce no result.

    Australia established a 1-0 lead at the bottom of third inning when Simmone Morrow made a run on Sandra Allen's single. Canada then rallied back to forward by two runs in the top of the fourth as Natalie Ward doubled to drive Kelly Gentle home before she ran home propelled by Tanya Harding's double.

    Australia carried out strong counter-attack with five runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal their victory. Marissa Carpadios was given a walk to push Belinda Wright home after all bases loaded. Morrow took the advantage of Canada catcher's error to reach home. Just minutes later, Stacey Porter and Amanda Doman scored on Tracey Mosley's double together and Kylie Cronk stole home plate after that.

    Sandra Allen hit a solo homer to wrap up the game 7-2, setting up a game with the winners between China and Italy.

    Canada coach Lori Sippel was much dismayed by the loss.

    "We were disappointed. We thought we could get into the Olympics and play the next game. That is what we planned but it didn't work out in that way. So we will go back and see whether we can get another chance," said Sippel.

    Australia's pitcher Melanie Roche reviewed the fourth inning after the game.

    "What important in the fourth was containment. Canada got some unexpected runs. So we just have to contain it to keep the game from becoming a blowout. So it was still 2-1 rather than Canada getting the big lead," said Roche.

    "We were still very close in the fifth. But with our powerful hitting, we knew we could come back." Enditem