Softball: White Sox play off for third and fourth

SYDNEY - New Zealand's White Sox will play off for third and fourth place at the women's international softball series here today after losing 0-7 to Japan in their final round-robin game.

Drubbed 0-10 by the Olympic bronze medallists last Friday in a warm-up tournament, the New Zealanders again found the going too tough today and were to play the Australia Institute of Sport for the minor placings at the Blacktown Olympic Centre.

The White Sox shaded the AIS 4-3 in a extra-inning thriller yesterday.

Japan will meet Australia, the silver medals winners at the Athens Olympics, in the final later today. Japan beat Australia 8-6 in pool play last night.

- NZPA