Japan booked their place in the final in Irvine ©USA Softball

Something had to give on day six of the USA Softball International Cup at Irvine, California, as the two Pool B sides with perfect records - Japan and USA Blue - met.

And it was Japan who remained unbeaten as they found the way to defeat the home's side's second string 5-3, thus earning a place in the final day's Championship match against USA Red at Bill Barber Park.

The latter team, comprised of players who will form the nation's roster at the World Championship in the Japanese city of Chiba next month, had already made certain of winning Pool A.

USA Blue's successful run at the USA Softball International Cup was halted by a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Japan, who thus earned a place in the Championship match against USA Red ©Getty Images
USA Blue's successful run at the USA Softball International Cup was halted by a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Japan, who thus earned a place in the Championship match against USA Red ©Getty Images

USA Red completed their pool matches on day six with an 11-2 win over Chinese Taipei to finish with five wins out of five.

USA Blue, meanwhile, will now go into a match to decide third place with China, who earned a 6-3 win over Scrap Yard Fast Pitch, a Texas-based professional team.

Scrap Yard will now contest fifth place against Canada, the early pacemakers in Pool B who finished with a 4-2 record.

Women's softball will return to the Olympics at Tokyo 2020.