Preview: Day 5 of the WBSC Premier12
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<p>GROUP A</p>
<p>Cuba – Puerto Rico</p>
<p>At the 2015 Pan American Games, Cuba claimed bronze by beating Puerto Rico 7-6. Earlier that tournament, Cuba recorded a 8-1 preliminary round victory over Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico’s last competitive win against Cuba came at the 2009 Baseball World Cup, a 5-2 second round victory.</p>
<p>In 1992, Cuba became the first ever Olympic champions in baseball. They won all nine games, including a 9-4 first round victory over Puerto Rico.</p>
<p>Italy – Netherlands</p>
<p>This will be a replay of the 2014 European Championships final, when Netherlands beat Italy 6-3 to claim their first European title since 2007.</p>
<p>In 2010 (8-4) and 2012 (8-3), Italy won the European title, beating Netherlands in the final on both occasions.</p>
<p>These countries most recently clashed at the 2014 U-21 Baseball World Cup, when Italy won 4-3 in the consolation round.</p>
<p>Chinese Taipei – Canada</p>
<p>Chinese Taipei and Canada last met at the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka, when Canada recorded a 6-2 group stage win.</p>
<p>At the 2010 U-18 Baseball World Cup, Chinese Taipei beat hosts Canada 3-1 in the semifinals before claiming the world title against Australia in the final (8-4 win).</p>
<p>These nations most recently clashed at men’s elite level at the 2011 Baseball World Cup, when Canada won 4-0 in the group stage.</p>
<p>The Men’s National Team of Chinese Taipei last beat Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games, 6-5 (12 innings).</p>
<p>GROUP B</p>
<p>South Korea – Venezuela</p>
<p>At the 2009 World Baseball Classic, South Korea won 10-2 against Venezuela in the semifinals, before losing 5-3 against Japan in the final.</p>
<p>Venezuela’s last competitive win over South Korea at senior level came at the 2011 Baseball World Cup, when they recorded a 5-4 first round victory.</p>
<p>South Korea beat Venezuela twice at the 2013 U-18 Baseball World Cup, a 11-1 final round win and a 6-1 victory in the fifth-place decider.</p>
<p>These nations most recently met at the 2015 U-12 Baseball World Cup, when Venezuela beat South Korea 4-3 in the group stage.</p>
<p>Mexico – United States</p>
<p>Mexico has won their last two competitive games against United States at senior level, a 3-2 first round win at the 2011 Pan American Games and a 5-2 first round victory at the 2013 World Baseball Classic.</p>
<p>The U.S. Men’s National Team last beat Mexico (7-3) at the 2009 Baseball World Cup.</p>
<p>These nations most recently met at the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup, when United States beat Mexico 5-1 in the group stage.</p>
<p>Dominican Republic – Japan</p>
<p>This is a match-up between Japan, 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic winners, and 2013 champions Dominican Republic.</p>
<p>It has been nearly 20 years since the National Teams of these two countries played against each other with their top teams.</p>
<p>These nations most recently met in a competitive game on senior level at the 1998 Baseball World Cup, when Japan beat Dominican Republic 4-3 in the first round.</p>
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