Australia World Cup bound after winning Qualifier
Kingsley Collins
27 January 2019
Australia has qualified for the 2019 WBSC Under 18 World Cup in South Korea with its win over American Samoa in a rain-affected Oceania Qualifying final in Guam this evening. WBSC RELEASE
Not conceding a run in a contest that was terminated by torrential rain, Australia held a narrow lead and was declared tournament winner under WBSC rules factoring in our thumping result over American Samoa in the Saturday semi-final.
Congratulations to the players, coaches, support staff, families and others who either accompanied the team or followed its progress from back home. Special kudos to Head Coach Steve Fish, who did a mighty job under challenging circumstances to keep supporters informed by arranging streaming and online updates.
Well done, all!
Aussies storm into final of qualifier
Kingsley Collins
26 January 20-19
Seriously atoning for a narrow first-up loss to the same team, Australia blasted six in the second – including a bases-clearing triple - on its way to a thumping 16-0 win over American Samoa in a semi-final of the WBSC Under 18 Oceania Qualifier currently being played in Guam.
While its earlier loss to American Samoa was a surprise, our squad was never going to let this one slip, as starter Blake Townsend exercised his total dominance on the hill and our offence took an aggressive approach that placed its opponent under constant pressure.
Up eight zip after five, an errorless Australian outfit stretched its commanding lead with four in the sixth and four in the seventh – amassing sixteen hits to one in an outstanding performance.
The result has assured Australia of a place in the tournament final. An overall win in the series will guarantee Australia a place at the Under 18 World Cup to be held in South Korea during late August/early September.
The final is scheduled for Sunday afternoon (6.00 PM start AEST), with our opponent to come from New Zealand, American Samoa or Guam (depending on other semi-final results).
