Chinese Taipei triumphs against Cuba in a thrilling Group B match.© (@TeoremaDeFutbol )
Chinese Taipei secured a 2-0 victory over Cuba on Monday at the Taipei Dome, concluding Group B action in the Opening Round of the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS. With this win, Chinese Taipei finished with a 4-1 record, advancing to the Super Round in Tokyo.
The pivotal win showcased strong performances from Chinese Taipei’s pitchers and key defensive plays. Manager Hao-Jiu Tseng expressed gratitude to the fans and optimism for the next stage. “We are heading to the Super Round with the passion and expectation from the fans, and we will do our best and play the best we can, one game after another,” Tseng said.
The game featured a pitching duel between Chinese Taipei’s Tzu-Peng Huang, who no-hit the Dominican Republic for six innings earlier in the tournament, and Cuba’s Yoennis Yera, who delivered six scoreless innings against the Dominican Republic on Group B’s opening day.
Chinese Taipei broke the deadlock in the third inning. Pei-Fong Dai scored the game’s first run on Kungkuan Giljegiljaw’s two-out double, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. The fourth inning saw Chinese Taipei capitalize on an error and infield hits to load the bases. Cheng-Yu Chang’s fielder’s choice brought Tseng home, extending the lead to 2-0.
Cuba’s best opportunity to score came in the fifth inning. Erisbel Arruebarruena hit a one-out double and advanced on a single by Andry Perez. Arruebarruena attempted to score on the hit but was tagged out at home on an 8-6-2 relay by Chinese Taipei after a video review, preserving the shutout.
Both teams’ offences were subdued for the remainder of the game as strong pitching and defence dominated. Chinese Taipei held on to secure their fourth win of the Opening Round, finishing second in Group B.
Cuba’s manager, Armando Johnson, congratulated Chinese Taipei and Japan on advancing to the Super Round. Reflecting on Cuba’s performance, Johnson said, “Although the results are disappointing, during the game we played against Japan last night, I saw the old Cuba team I am familiar with. I am satisfied to have seen my players playing hard and giving one hundred per cent on and off the field. As long as they give their best, I would not put any blame on them.”
Chinese Taipei manager Tseng praised his team’s pitching and defence, emphasizing the critical 8-6-2 relay play in the fifth inning. “In a low-scoring game like this, defence and pitching became critical,” he said. Tseng also extended his appreciation to the more than 30,000 fans in attendance, whose energy fueled the team’s performance.
Catcher Pei-Fong Dai, who made his first start of the tournament, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. “My main task is to communicate and guide the pitcher, and I really cherish moments like this, being surrounded by a full house of fans,” Dai said.
Kungkuan Giljegiljaw, whose key double opened the scoring, reflected on the importance of belief. “Just believe in yourself. While being in the dugout, it was also important for me to cheer for my team. Again, believe in yourself, and believe in the fans too,” he said.
Chinese Taipei and Japan will now travel to Tokyo for the Super Round, which begins on November 21. The tournament will culminate with the bronze medal game and the World Championship Game on November 24, 2024.
