World No. 1 Japan win XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup

World No. 1 Japan won the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup for the first time, defeating the hosts Chinese Taipei, 2-1, in front of a passionate crowd of 10,000 at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei City on Sunday.

Left-hander Yugo Maeda pitched a complete game for the win. He used 92 pitches, 56 for strikes, and allowed only four hits and two walks while striking out five.

"I think that my most effective pitch was the changeup tonight," he said to the Japanese press. "I understand why you are looking for my comments, but this was a team effort."

Chinese Taipei manager Po-Hung Wu had the same impression: "He pitched a great game and kept us totally off balance. Still, we had some excellent contacts. I think we were not lucky tonight."

"I feel sorry for losing in front of this great crowd," he added. "I want to thank all the players for their effort. As I told them, the most important thing is to give it all. Of course, we came here to win, but I am proud of them."

Japan manager Shiro Mabuchi is accustomed to wins and didn't seem particularly emotional.

"As I said before the tournament, we came here to show the Japanese baseball style. While selecting the team, I sought players who could execute the small ball perfectly. I think Japanese players are more fit for this kind of baseball. Of course, also power can help you win. I like watching Shohei Ohtani hit home runs, as you probably do. Still, to win a World Championship, you must execute the little things perfectly.”

The seasoned manager also shared his feelings of being the one to bring Japan to the top of the U-18 Baseball World Cup after 42 years.

“It’s a huge honour to take the U-18 world title back to Japan for the first time. We tried to win this (U-18) World Championship many times but always came short. So we are very proud.”

With Korea and Japan winning medal game regularly using the old-fashioned bunt to advance runners, the manager gave his take on this strategy.

“The way I see baseball, bunting will always help you win games."

The Live Blog as it happened

Chinese Taipei and Japan took the field in front of a loud crowd of 9,000.

Chinese Taipei starter Yi Lei Sun walked Ryusei Terachi to lead off the game. Japan bunted him to second, and Ren Ogata brought him to third with a one-out single. Sun got the second out on strikes and retired Minato Maruta on a ground ball to end the at-bat.

Chinese Taipei took the lead in the bottom of the first. Hsin Chiu led off with a base hit to right centre. Chinese Taipei bunted him to second, and Japan's starter Yugo Maeda allowed hit to third with a wild pitch. Nian Hao Wang singled to right field to put the hosts ahead. Maeda got out of the inning with back-to-back strikeouts.

Yi Lei Sun walked Ren Ogata to lead off the fourth. Japan used the sacrifice bunt to advance him to second. With one out, Minato Maruta tried to bunt for the hit. Ogata advanced to third, and Maruta was called out at first. Japan asked for the on-field review. The challenge was successful, and the call was reversed.

With runners at the corners and one out, Kazuki Takanaka looked at two balls and executed a perfect bunt between the mound and the third base line to squeeze in Ogata from third. Nian Wao Hang tried to get the out at first base, but his throw was wide, and Maruta also scored. Takanaka reached second on the play.

With one out in the top of the fifth, Sun walked Terachi, and Chinese Taipei handed the ball to Wei En Lin. Syuya Yamada tried to bunt but popped out to catcher in foul territory. Lin got the third out on a fly to left field.

After allowing a run in the bottom of the first, Maeda gave little chances to Chinese Taipei, also thanks to his defence.

Riku Takeda led off the sixth with a single and Japan bunted him to second. Takanaka brought him to third with another base hit, but Wei En Lin got out of the jam with back to bak strike outs.

Ting Lun Hsu led off the bottom half of the frame with a base hit. Chinese Taipei showed the same strategy and bunted him to second. Maeda got the second out on a fly ball, then allowed Ting to third on a wild pitch. Japan intentionally walked Chia Wei Lin. With runners at the corners and a one-one count, Hsun Chieh Lin hit a deep fly to the gap in left-centre. Minato Maruda went a long way to get the third out.

Chang Chao Hung reached on a fielding error to lead off the seventh. Chinese Taipei tried to advance him to second, but Meng Chih Hu popped out to catcher trying to bunt. Pinch hitter Mu Heng Chen popped out to shortstop for the second out. Hsin Chiu hit a sharp grounder to Ren Ogata who got the force out at second and ended the game.

• On Day 11: Korea earn bronze medal
• On Day 10: Korea and United States will play for a bronze medal
• On Day 9: Chinese Taipei and Japan head to World Championship Final
• On Day 8: Chinese Taipei shut out USA, remain only undefeated team
• On Day 7: Chinese Taipei finish undefeated, two games postponed
• On Day 6: USA, JPN, NED tied, KOR to Super Round, TPE-PUR postponed
• On Day 5: Chinese Taipei, Japan, USA, Netherlands and Puerto Rico advance to Super Round
• On Day 4: Chinese Taipei and Japan lead respective groups undefeated
• On Day 3: Chinese Taipei, Japan, USA earn second win
• On Day 2: USA, Panama and Japan win, two games postponed
• On Day 1: Chinese Taipei shut out Australia