• Submitted by: admin
• Sports
• 11 / 10 / 2006

Record champions Cuba beat the Netherlands 3-2 in the opener as the 1977 champions South Korea needed just six and half innings to secure a 10-0 victory against the Philippines, rated the weakest team in the tournament.

Two-time champs Japan required an extra 10th inning to beat Australia 4-3.

Italy defeated Taiwan 13-3 in the only evening game.

The Intercontinental Cup is sponsored by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF).

IBAF Secretary-General Eduardo De Bello, Chairman Chen Chuan-shou of the National Council on Physical Fitness and

Sports, Chairman Peng Cheng-hao of the ROC Baseball Association, and Taichung Mayor Jason Hu jointly held the opening ceremony.

A total of eight teams are taking part in the tournament which runs until November 19 at two stadiums in Taichung City, central Taiwan.

New York Yankees pitcher Wang Chien-ming, who just returned to Taiwan to a hero's welcome on Monday, was designated a spokesman of the tournament.

Cuba and Japan are considered the strongest teams at the quadrennial event for amateur teams since they came first and second at the World Baseball Classic in the United States in March.

In addition, Cuba lead the way with nine Intercontinental Cup trophies, including the previous edition in 2002. Japan follow with two victories, at the inaugural event in 1973 and in 1997.

Source: The China Post