'Korea's semifinals have become more difficult' Drake Thrirunpo Cuba reports its first 4-3 win over Australia. Japan-Taiwan 2 wins, 1 win, 2 losses, 4 teams
Nov 16, 2024
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Cuba won the Premier 12 Group B match against Australia in Taiwan on the 16th with Yardier Drake's come-from-behind three-run shot. Cuba, which lost to the Dominican Republic and South Korea, won the tournament for the first time and recorded one win and two losses. Australia also lost its first match against Japan, won against the Dominican Republic, and then beat Cuba to post 1-2 losses.
With this, Group B tied for third with one win and two losses for all four countries, including South Korea, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Australia, after Taiwan and Japan, which are tied for the lead with two wins.
In fact, Cuba's victory has become a desperate situation for Korea.
First, assume that Japan, which is considered the "strongest power", will be the top of the group with five wins, and South Korea, which lost to Taiwan and Japan, should win both the Dominican Republic today and Australia on the 18th to make 3 wins and 2 losses and see Taiwan's situation.
The best scenario for Korea is that Taiwan will lose both Australia on the 17th and Cuba on the 18th, following the match against Japan today, and lose 2 wins and 3 losses, but in reality, this is very difficult.
Even if Taiwan loses to only one of Cuba or Australia and ties with South Korea with 3 wins and 2 losses, if South Korea and Taiwan become joint second, Taiwan will advance to the semifinals in second place due to the winner's winning principle.
The only way for Korea to advance is for the three teams to tie the game with three wins and two losses, share wins and losses, and win TQB in a match between the three teams. As Australia lost to Cuba on the day, it would have two wins and three losses if it loses to Korea, and the Dominican Republic would not be able to compete for second place because it would have three losses if it lost to Korea today. In order for Cuba to win 3 wins and 2 losses, it must win both the match against Japan on the 17th and the match against Taiwan on the 18th. It's only possible if a miracle happens.
In other words, for Korea to reach the semifinals, it will win all of the remaining Dominican Republic and Australia to make it 3 wins and 2 losses, and Taiwan loses all three remaining games or Cuba wins all two remaining games, so the three teams will compete for TQB. For now, we are just trying our best to win today's game against the Dominican Republic.
Australia started the 35-year-old team, with Cuba starting 19-year-old young lefty Mario Sardoui. Sardoui is a pitcher who started in the second warm-up match against South Korea on the 2nd.
Australia scored the first run in the top of the first inning. After one out, three consecutive hits from Aaron Whitefield, Robbie Glandering, and Rickson Wingrove scored the first run. Tim Kennelly struck out and reached first and third base with two outs, but Darryl George's hit to right-center scored one more run to lead 2-0.
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Cuba also immediately began to chase. Leadership Roel Santos, No. 2 Yadir Drake and No. 3 Yoelkis Giverty hit three consecutive hits to score one point and continue the chance for first and second bases with no outs. However, No. 4 Alfredo Despaigne struck out swinging, and No. 5 Ariel Martinez hit a double play in front of the second base to lose the opportunity to tie the game.
In the top of the second inning, Australia also got an additional opportunity to score the bases with a walk, a hit, and a hit ball after two outs, but Wingrove failed to score as he stepped down with a fly to center field.
Australia activated the bullpen in the bottom of the third inning. Starter Atherton allowed three hits, two strikeouts and one run in two innings. However, Cuba turned the tables with a single shot in the bottom of the third inning. The lead, Walters, went to second base due to a third baseman error, and Roel Santos' bunt hit created a chance for the first and third bases with no outs. And Yardier Drake hit an upset three-run home run over the left fence to immediately turn the game around 4-2.
Australia got a chance to second base with a hit and a steal after two outs in the top of the fourth inning, but Australia, which failed to score again, got one run in the top of the fifth inning to pressure Cuba. Robbie Glendinning hit a solo shot to the left.
Australia had a good opportunity to go beyond the tie in the top of the seventh inning to come from behind. After one out, Robbie Glendinning and Rickson Wingrove drew back-to-back walks to make it first and second. Tim Kennelly struck out swinging after a full count, but Daryl George walked again and loaded the bases with two outs. However, Alex Hall's well-hit ball rolled in front of the second baseman and was out, maintaining a 1-point gap of 4-3.
Cuba also got an additional scoring opportunity with two outs and runners on first and second bases with a hit and a walk in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Yoelkis Gilbert only made a fly to center field.
Australia failed to turn the game around in the top of the ninth inning after three outs in the final attack.
◇Premier 12 Group B ranking (as of the 16th)
1 = Taiwan 2 wins (Win-Korea, Dominican Republic)
=Japan's 2nd win (Win-Australia, Korea)
3 = Australia 1 win 2 losses (Win-Dominica Republic) (Lose-Japan, Cuba)
=Korea 1 win and 2 losses (win-Kuba) (loss-Taiwan, Japan)
=Dominican Republic 1-2 (win - Cuba) (loss - Taiwan, Australia)
=Cuba 1-2 (win-Australia) (loss-Dominica Republic, South Korea)
indyk@sportschosun.com
