The result also ensures Israel, who have won both of their games on their tournament debut so far, will advance to the next phase of the competition set to take place in Tokyo.

After a scoreless first innings for both teams, the Europeans took the lead with a single in the second.

Chinese Taipei then responded in the third with two runs of their own to edge ahead.

The match exploded into life in the fourth and fifth innings with the Dutch scoring three runs in the fourth to go 4-2 up before their opponents added three of their own to regain the lead.

Neither side were able to add any points in the sixth and seventh innings until The Netherlands posted singles in both the eighth and ninth innings to steal a 6-5 win.

There were also two matches in Pool B at the Tokyo Dome today.

Cuba coasted to a 6-0 win over China in the first match of the day in the Japanese capital.

The Chinese team frustrated the Cubans in the opening stages with the match remaining scoreless in the opening three innings.

Bruce Chen, who played for a number of Major League Baseball teams between 1998 and 2015, including the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets, is China's best pitcher but he was out of the game in the fourth innings, leaving the Cubans to score freely.

They scored four runs which went unanswered before adding singles in both the sixth and seventh inning to hand them the victory.

In the other match in Pool B today, hosts Japan produced a late comeback to defeat Australia 4-1. 

The Australians opened the scoring in the second innings when Allan de San Miguel hit a home run before starting pitcher Tim Atherton maintained their slim advantage until the fifth innings.

Japan then finally made it onto the scoreboard with a single before Sho Nakata's seventh-inning solo home run drove Japan to victory.

The hosts added two more points in the eighth innings to seal the win.

Tomorrow is due to see the conclusion of Pool A, one match in Pool B and Pool C get underway.

The Netherlands and Israel will meet tomorrow to decide who finishes top of Pool A in Seoul.

This match will be followed by South Korea against Chinese Taipei.

Australia take on China in Pool B in Tokyo, while the defending champions Dominican Republic face Canada at Marlins Park in Miami in Pool C.

The top two countries in each pool will advance to the next round.

Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is due to host the finals from March 20 to 22.