The opening morning match between China and Japan promises to be a close match, Venezuela will be eager to produce runs against Canada, while the winless Dutch take on Australia in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Softball tournament.

The morning opener at 9:30 a.m. (UTC/GMT +8), China versus Japan, is a bragging-rights contest for the top two Asia/Oceania Softball squads. It is also a pivotal game for each team to win to continue on course to the medal podium.

China brings the second-best team earned run average (1.75) and fielding percentage (.984) to the game. Japan will counter with the second-best team batting average (.384).

From their accustomed spot in the noon feature, the United States powerful offence should be able to hit Chinese Taipei's pitching staff at will. Team USA's .574 team batting average is nearly 300 points higher than Chinese Taipei's

None of the US pitchers (Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch, Monica Abbott) has allowed an opponent to score a run in a combined 24 innings.

Starting at 5:00 p.m., Netherlands will try every trick in the book against a confident Australian club. The Netherlands have made critical mistakes in every game and must be feeling frustrated.

Natalie Titcume is leading all players in batting average (.500) and slugging percentage 1.500.

Belinda Wright leads all center fielders with eight putouts. She is tied with four other players in fielding percentage with a perfect 1.000.

In the 7:30 p.m. night cap, enthusiastic Canada will tangle with exuberant Venezuela.

Venezuela scored eight runs against the Netherlands on Friday for their first win.

Canada's weak spot has been fielding. The team has committed six errors in four games, more than any other team.

Lauren Bay Regula of Canada ranks second in total strikeouts with 15. US star Cat Osterman is first with 21.

(BOCOG Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)