Cuba claim win in baseball opener

Cuban players celebrate victory over Japan

Defending Olympic champions Cuba got their quest for baseball gold off to the perfect start with a 4-2 win over Japan in Wukesong Baseball Field.

Alfredo Despaigne starred with the bat while Norge Luis Vera pitched six solid innings in a game many believed to be a preview of the final.

Cuba coach Antoni Pacheco said: "It was a very difficult game. It's always important to win your first game."

Elsewhere, the US slumped to a narrow 8-7 defeat to South Korea.

And in the other matches of the opening preliminary round, Chinese Taipei beat the Netherlands 5-0, while Canada outclassed host nation China 10-0.