Hosts China moved one step closer to their fourth straight title as they extended their magic streak of not letting one goal in after nine games at the 7th Asian women's softball championships in Shanghai on November 4.

The Olympic Games runners-up, who had won three consecutive title in the regional event, held off any upset to beat the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, tagged as their top threat, 2-0 in about 100 minutes.

With veteran Tao Hua on the second base and Zhang Chunfang occupying the first, experienced first baseman Wang Ying bunted to sent both on run on the fourth inning. China took two points and kept the score to the end of the game.

Chinese head coach Liu Yaming seemed not satisfied with the performances of his young players.

"We didn't play to our best despite the two runs. We failed to catch the fire power on strikings."

China, who cracked Thailand 15-0 and the Philippines 3-0 in following games, will play Japan in their final round robin preliminary match on Friday. Both teams have not surrendered a single match.

The DPR Korea were apparently still in the dismal of the loss to China as they were thrashed 6-0 by Japan in late game.

"It is obvious that the Koreans has improved a lot, but we managed to bite their tails," said Japanese head coach Yoshino Mineko.

In other actions played today, Japan overwhelmed Hong Kong of China 19-0, South Korea ousted Thailand 3-1 and Chinese Taipei 1-0; Philippines routed Indonesia 12-2 and Hong Kong of China 8-1 while Singapore knocked off Indonesia 8-3.

The top four teams of the preliminary will qualify in the play- offs in page system on Saturday.