History seems to have repeated itself in Williamsport, Pa.

Much like the 1998 Little League World Series when the 91原创 All-Stars last represented Canada, Japan has once again ousted them from the competition in Game 4, defeating them 4-0.

It was a do or die situation, as both teams of 11 and 12-year-olds went into the game sitting 2-1 in the tournament, with Japan as the defending champions.

Dave Mihalech, coach of the 1998 All-Stars team that played in Williamsport, says that when it all boils down, Canada was simply beaten by a better team.

鈥淭he Japanese team was a very polished, fundamentally sound team,鈥� he said.

鈥淚 thought Canada played a very good ball game today, just couldn鈥檛 get hits when they needed them.鈥�

Dean Cantelon, All-Stars manager, said much the same.

鈥淲e played an awesome game. We had sound defense, our pitching was good. But we didn鈥檛 get any runs, and you can鈥檛 win without runs. But I give credit to Japan, they鈥檙e like a machine out there, and I can see why they鈥檙e defending champions.鈥�

Similar to their past three games, the All-Stars played their best early on.

Things looked promising in the bottom of the first. The All-Stars had runners on second and third with two outs, but Yi-An Pan failed to capitalize on his opportunity to drive the runners home by grounding out to the shortstop to end the inning.

The Canadians continued to hold the Japanese off the scoreboard in the second inning as Cole Cantelon maintained his good pitching, holding them hitless through two.

Strangely enough, the third inning was once again where the team began to fall apart.

Cantelon said this is very unusual for the team.

鈥淚t鈥檚 out of character for this team,鈥� he said shortly have their Game 3 win against Chinese-Taipei.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what I can place my finger on. Maybe they start looking around and seeing everyone around, I鈥檓 not sure.鈥�

It was during this inning that Japan brought home three runs.

Canada came close to closing the gap in the bottom of the third, with Nick Atkinson on third and Yi-Fan Pan on first, but Cole Cantelon popped out to the catcher, ending the threat for the team.

Unlike their last game against Chinese-Taipei, Canada was unable to recover.

Japan all but clinched the game in the top of the fourth when they scored their last run on an RBI triple from Gaishi Iguchi.

Both teams were held off the scoreboard in the fifth and sixth innings.

鈥淲e finished the tournament 2-2 so we feel pretty good about what we did,鈥� said Cantelon.

鈥淭he boys don鈥檛 like to lose and they鈥檙e not used to losing. They鈥檙e taking it as well as they can. They鈥檙e holding their heads up high. They鈥檙e proud of what they accomplished.鈥�

Despite being ousted from the tournament sooner than they had hoped, the boys from 91原创 have had the experience of a lifetime.

Everywhere they have gone in the past week they have been treated like rock-stars, and have been shown support from a barrage of fans.

And then there are the girls.

鈥淵ou wouldn鈥檛 believe it, they鈥檙e treated like movie starts around here,鈥漵aid Cantelon.

鈥淥n the other side of the gates are girls. Just girls everywhere and adults too, wanting the boys鈥� autographs and photos with them.鈥�

Head coach Jason Andrews is just as amazed.

鈥淚t is ridiculous around here,鈥� he said.

鈥淥ur guys are rock stars around here. There鈥檚 nothing but girls everywhere. I had to teach them sex ed as well,鈥� he joked.

鈥淲e have a shy team. They鈥檙e starting to loosen up and talk to the girls, but most of these guys are 13, some still 11, so they don鈥檛 really understand.鈥�

The players, coaches and parents have felt an extreme amount of support from Canada, even from their American counterparts.

鈥淲hen we pulled out in the van the boys were all packed in, we drove past the other stadium and there were just fans everywhere applauding these boys,鈥� said Andrew.

鈥淓ven though we aren鈥檛 happy we lost, the fans are appreciating that we did Canada proud and went up against the defending champs and only lost 4-0.鈥�

Even though it is an international baseball tournament, there seems to be no borders drawn between the players. One of the teams the kids have become closest with is Chinese-Taipei 鈥� the same team Canada defeated for the first time in Little League history.

鈥淭hey have a playroom that they all hang out in and we鈥檝e met some great people here,鈥� said Andrew.

鈥淵ou just have to let them be kids. Just hang out and let the boys be boys.鈥�

Team Canada will return to 91原创 Aug. 29 after the series final on Aug. 28 as true All-Stars.

鈥淵ou really don鈥檛 understand what it鈥檚 like here until you get here,鈥� said Andrew.

鈥淚t is an absolutely amazing experience, and it鈥檚 really a once in a lifetime dream come true.鈥�