(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Taiwan Finishes Fourth at U-12 Baseball World Cup 2025 After Tough Loss to South Korea
TAINAN — Taiwan wrapped up their journey at the 2025 U-12 Baseball World Cup with a fourth-place finish after a hard-fought 0-2 loss to South Korea in the bronze medal game held at the Asia-Pacific International Baseball Complex on Sunday.
This marks the first time since the tournament’s inception in 2011 that Taiwan has not secured a top-three finish, ending an impressive streak of podium appearances.
A Defensive Battle in Tainan
The bronze medal game was a tightly contested match. Taiwan’s starting pitcher, Zhong Ding-xu, delivered a stellar opening performance, striking out the first six Korean batters over two innings. However, South Korea broke through in the third inning, scoring the first run of the game, and added another in the fifth, extending their lead to 2-0. Taiwan, despite their best efforts, was unable to mount a comeback in the final innings.
A Dramatic Turn of Events
The loss came just one day after Taiwan’s thrilling 11-5 extra-inning victory over South Korea during the super round. That game, which extended to nine innings, saw Taiwan dominate with a seven-run burst in the top of the ninth. However, the win came at a cost.
Taiwan’s head coach, Chang Tzu-chien, received a one-game suspension from the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) after a rule violation involving pitcher Huang Yu-qian, who was ineligible to pitch due to pitch count rest rules. As a result, Huang was also unavailable for the bronze medal match.
A Historic First for South Korea
While Taiwan missed the podium for the first time, South Korea celebrated a historic achievement, earning their first-ever medal at the U-12 Baseball World Cup. Their disciplined play and timely hitting made the difference on Sunday.
U.S. Claims Championship Title
In the tournament’s final, Team USA defended their title with a dominant 7-1 win over Japan, securing their second consecutive championship. The U.S. has now defeated Taiwan in four previous U-12 finals (2013, 2015, 2017, and 2023).
Taiwan’s Legacy Remains Strong
Despite the disappointing finish, Taiwan’s rich history in the U-12 Baseball World Cup remains notable, with two championship titles (2011 and 2019) and multiple podium finishes.
As the young athletes reflect on their performance, they can take pride in their hard work, resilience, and the continued support of fans across the country
