By DPA
Taipei : Eight winning teams will challenge each other in the quarterfinals of the 37th baseball World Cup, with Cuba and the US tipped as favourites for winning gold in Sunday’s finals.
The parings for Friday are: Japan vs Australia, Netherlands vs Taiwan, Mexico vs Cuba and South Korea vs US.
The semi-finals will be played Saturday.
The US and Cuba finished with the top rankings in Group A and Group B.
Cuba has won 25 World Cup titles while the US, determined to assert itself as the cradle of baseball, has sent a strong team, which includes professionals from both the major leagues and minor leagues.
The Netherlands is a strong medal contender after beating Cuba 4-2 at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and taking the Cubans to 11 innings before losing 3-0 at the 2006 Intercontinental Baseball Games.
Host Taiwan, one of Asia’s top three teams along with Japan and South Korea, hopes to reach the final four, provided it can beat the Netherlands Friday. Taiwan has played in 14 World Cups, with its best showing a second-place finish in 1984.
Thousands of Taiwanese are expected at Tienmu Stadium in Taipei to cheer for the home team in the Taiwan-Netherlands game.
The 37th Baseball World Cup began on Nov 7 with 16 teams. The games have gone smoothly except for a technicality that led to Panama being stripped of its place in the quarterfinals.
On Tuesday Mexico, after losing to Panama, reported to the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) that in Panama’s 5-0 victory over Spain on Nov 7, Panama had not taken out required insurance for seven team members who play professionally in the US.
IBAF confirmed Panama’s neglect Wednesday and disqualified Panama, opening a quarterfinal place for Mexico. Mexico will face Cuba Friday.
Eliminated from the 37th baseball World Cup were Panama, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Canada, Venezuela, Germany and Thailand.
The tournament has been a learning experience for South Africa and Thailand – the last-minute replacement after China withdrew – as they were sent home with seven defeats in seven games.