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US Softball Team Beats Japan on World Cup Preliminary

The United States National Softball team hammered Japan hard on Sunday sending them home after losing 11-0. The U.S. top player, Jessica Mendoza, and the rest of the team showed great skills, but will surly face a much difficult challenge in the upcoming World Cup.

Mike Candrea, coach for the United States, said that he did not let his players `take it easy` as the match against Japan is an excellent preparation for next month`s World Cup in Beijing. "Every game matters for us," Candrea said. "Anyone who puts on a uniform that likes to compete, every game matters. You don`t ever just come out here and play," Candrea said.

Japan and the United States have a long Softball history, and the game was important for both teams. "This is the same story as last year," Japan coach Hidetomi Ikawa said through an interpreter. "Today we lost, but we will win tomorrow." The outcome of this round will have a great impact on the moral of both teams, and with the World Cup starting next month ? it is almost as important as the tournament itself.