InsideJapan News Network
Friday,
20th
March
2009
In Sports,
In Sports,
Baseball: Japan beats Cuba to advance
Defending champions Japan have dumped Cuba out of the World Baseball Classic in San Diego with a 5-0 victory.
It marks the first time that Cuba has failed to reach the final of a major international tournament for 50 years, as the Japanese advance to take on South Korea in the Pool 1 final.
The loser will take on Venezuela, who topped Pool 2, while the winner will compete against the US for a place in the final.
Commenting on the historic defeat, Cuba manager Higinio Velez admitted that the Japanese players deserved to win, stating: "They were much better than us."
Meanwhile, Japan's ambassador to the US has told the Washington Times that tolerance is growing for players to enter Major League Baseball.
"People at first, at the beginning, were not happy that their very best were going," he said, adding that the success of players such as Hideo Nomo has been helping to change that attitude.
Written by Andy Mackay
Related news stories:
US baseball official criticises Japanese players (17th December 2010)
Hoshino rules out managing national baseball team (9th September 2008)
Suzuki breaks Major League Baseball record (15th September 2009)
Baseball world hails Nomo as he announces retirement (18th July 2008)
Baseball legends elected to hall of fame (14th January 2009)
It marks the first time that Cuba has failed to reach the final of a major international tournament for 50 years, as the Japanese advance to take on South Korea in the Pool 1 final.
The loser will take on Venezuela, who topped Pool 2, while the winner will compete against the US for a place in the final.
Commenting on the historic defeat, Cuba manager Higinio Velez admitted that the Japanese players deserved to win, stating: "They were much better than us."
Meanwhile, Japan's ambassador to the US has told the Washington Times that tolerance is growing for players to enter Major League Baseball.
"People at first, at the beginning, were not happy that their very best were going," he said, adding that the success of players such as Hideo Nomo has been helping to change that attitude.
Written by Andy Mackay
Related news stories:
US baseball official criticises Japanese players (17th December 2010)
Hoshino rules out managing national baseball team (9th September 2008)
Suzuki breaks Major League Baseball record (15th September 2009)
Baseball world hails Nomo as he announces retirement (18th July 2008)
Baseball legends elected to hall of fame (14th January 2009)
Latest Headlines
-
Click on a region above to expand
Order a
Hyper excited about Japan -
17/02/2012
InsideJapan meets Masterchef at Destinations - 27/01/2012
Show Time for IJT – Get your FREE tickets here! - 01/12/2011
Show all stories >>
InsideJapan meets Masterchef at Destinations - 27/01/2012
Show Time for IJT – Get your FREE tickets here! - 01/12/2011
Show all stories >>
-2010.jpg "The Guardian, The Observer - Travel Awards 2010 Winner - Best tour operator (small)")
.jpg "Inside Japan Tours - Silver at the British Travel Awards 2009")
