前ぜん駆く戦せん

noun

skirmish; preliminary contest; prefinal

Used for a preliminary battle or contest that precedes the main event. In sports and games, it often refers to the semifinal or a match just before the final.

• 両りょう軍ぐんの前ぜん駆く戦せんが始はじまった。

  A skirmish between the two armies began.

• この試し合あいは決けっ勝しょうの前ぜん駆く戦せんと見みなされている。

  This match is regarded as a prelude to the final.