After losing 2-1 to Israel in yesterday's opening match, the hosts of Pool A were beaten once again at the Gocheok Sky Dome after the Dutch team claimed a 5-0 win.

Jurickson Profar and Randolph Obuder both scored home runs for the Dutch team while Andrelton Simmons also added a point to the scoreboard. 

Pitchers Rick van den Hurk, Diegomar Markwell, Shairon Martis, Tom Stuifbergen and Leok va Mil combined to prevent the Koreans from scoring.

Israel made it two wins from their opening two games as they defeated Chinese Taipei 15-7.

Making their first appearance at the tournament, Israel wasted no time in taking control of the game, scoring four runs in the opening innings.

Ryan Lavarnway added a two point home run in the third inning before Nate Freiman added a three-run shot in the ninth.

Chinese Taipei briefly closed the gap in the sixth, scoring three runs to cut Israel's lead to 6-3.

However, the Israelis pulled away in the seventh inning as they scored five runs before adding another single to lead 12-3 after the eighth.

The sides scored seven points in the ninth and final inning with Israel adding a further three while Chinese Taipei hit four.

Action in Pool B got underway today as Japan defeated Cuba 11-6 at the Tokyo Dome.

Japan has reached at least the semi-finals in the last three World Baseball Classics, winning the championship in both 2006 and 2009. 

The hosts opened the scoring with a single run in the first inning before the Cubans drew level with one of their own in the third.

After scoring another single in the fourth, Japanese third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda hit a three-point home run that gave Japan a 6-1 fifth-inning lead.

Cuba replied with three in the seventh inning before Japan added another two of their own.

The two teams evenly split four runs in the eighth before a Cuban blank in the ninth secured the win for Japan.

Chinese Taipei and The Netherlands will meet in Seoul tomorrow while Cuba take on China and Japan face Australia in Pool B at the Tokyo Dome.

Pool C sees defending champions Dominican Republic face Canada, Colombia and the United States at Marlins Park in Miami from Thursday (March 9) until next Sunday (March 13).

Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela are due contest Pool D, scheduled to take place during the same period at the Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara.

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.