Japan and Korea Qualify in WBC as Predicted

HAVANA TIMES, March 8 — With its overpowering 14-0 win over China on Sunday, Korea (2-1) became the second team in Group A of the World Baseball Classic to win a ticket to San Diego and Round Two.

The Koreans will play the other qualified team, Japan (2-0), to determine the group leader on Monday. China (1-2) was eliminated as earlier Chinese Tapei (0-2).

Korea and Japan will face the top two teams of Group B (Mexico, Australia, Cuba and South Africa) in Round Two.

Cuba plays its first game against the weak South Africa Sunday at 12:00 noon in Mexico City (3:00 p.m. Cuban time). Mexico plays Australia at 7:00 p.m. also in Mexico City.

The opening Group C games went as predicted on Saturday with Venezuela winning 7-0 over Italy, and the USA held on to beat Canada 6-5.

In Group D, The Dominican Republic and Panama play a do-or-die game on Sunday after both teams lost their openers. The Dominicans were surprised 3-2 by the Netherlands and Panama was shutout 7-0 by Puerto Rico. The loser of this game is eliminated from the tournament.