We continue our look ahead at the playoff possibilities on Day 6, the second to the last day of pool play. Click here to view “Looking Ahead – Part 1”
News as we go on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, the second to last day of pool play:
(Pool B) * Argentina defeated Indonesia today, a game that they were expected to win and did. Argentina now at 4-2, with a big game against Australia tomorrow. The Argentines will finish no worse than 4-3 and appear playoff bound after an 0-2 start. Likely seed: B4.
(Pool B) * Australia beat Czech Republic, 5-1 today, so goes to the final day of pool play with a 5-1 record. Last opponent of pool play is Argentina. At best, AUS goes 6-1, at worst 5-2. Makes the AUS v. ARG game Thursday interesting, since ARG now 4-2. An Argentine win would give them the same record, and a head to head win over AUS. Australia will enter the game as the favorite, and can lock up the 2 spot and double life with a win. Likely seed: B2
(Pool A) * Philippines beat Botswana, 4-0 today, so that evens the ledger for them at 3-3 with Denmark on tap for tomorrow. Four teams with fewer losses than the Philippines (NZ, USA, GB and JAP) Japan (3-2) has to face NZ Thursday, and Great Britain (3-2) has to play the USA, so it’s conceivable that Japan, GB and Philippines could all wind up with 4-3 records, with two of the three advancing to the playoffs. All eyes on the USA v. GB game tonight at 8:30 pm. Great Britain is hot, coming off an upset of Japan and a come-from behind win over Mexico, while the USA, despite their now impressive 4-1 record, barely slipped past Botswana 2-1 yesterday and appeared flat, at least offensively. Likely seed: A3, A4 or none. [GB v. USA game with big implications]
(Pool B) * Canada mercy ruled South Africa, 7-0 this afternoon, to run their record to 6-0, with Puerto Rico tomorrow. They have locked up the top seed, which means that the two unbeatens, New Zealand and Canada would not face each other unless in the finals, a repeat of the 2004 ISF title game. Canada got a couple of scares from Australia and Venezuela, so will have to approach each game with those in mind. They are certainly more battle tested than the Black Sox, who are still looking for anyone to give them a game. Seed: B1
(Pool A) * Japan rallied from down 6-3 to beat Denmark 14-7 this evening. That improves their record to 4-2 and may save their spot in the playoffs. They’ll face New Zealand tomorrow, so likely finish 4-3. All eyes on GB v. USA. Likely seed: A3 or A4, depending on the USA/GB game.
(Pool A) * The USA (4-1) squad has rebounded nicely since that opening night rout at the hands of New Zealand. Pete Turner’s squad has reeled off four straight wins, including a big one over Japan, and a strong pitching performance to beat a tough Botswana team yesterday, 2-1. Though winless, Botswana has two strong pitchers and has been “in” most every game they’ve played. The USA controls their own destiny for the playoffs, and can grab the other coveted “double life” alongside New Zealand by beating Great Britain tonight. Likely seed: A2
(Pool A) * Great Britain (3-2) plays the biggest game ever for its program tonight against the USA. A win would give them the 2 spot and double life — remarkable for a team that was not on anyone’s radar coming in to the tournament and an outside chance of making the playoffs. Great Britain barely qualified for the tournament, finishing third in Europe behind Denmark and Czech Republic. Both of those teams appear to be out of playoff contention, while the Brits are enjoying the time of their life, and coming into tonight’s game with some momentum having won three in a row after starting 0-2 with losses to the Philippines and New Zealand. Likely seed: A3 or A4, depending on tonight’s game
See the next post in Morning Brief for a podcast of brief interview with Great Britain’s coach, Russ Snow, a special to Ballparkradio. The interview took place by phone, as coach Snow was headed to the main complex for tonight’s game.
As of early Wednesday evening, 6pm Saskatoon time:
Pool A Notes:
1. New Zealand – 5-0 – in a league of their own, at least in this pool
2. USA – 4-1, big game vs. Great Britain tonight
3. Great Britain – 3-2 – big game vs. USA tonight
4. Japan, 4-2, New Zealand tomorrow
5. The Phillipines are 3-3 with Denmark left, so they’ll finish either 4-3 or 3-4. Their game vs. Denmark is a “Must Win” to have a shot at sneaking in. The Phillipines beat Great Britain but lost to Japan. They’ll need the stars to align to get in:
*USA win over Great Britain Wednesday night
* New Zealand win over Japan Thursday
* Win by Philippines over Denmark Thursday
That would leave Japan, Great Britain and the Philippines all 4-3, with only two of the three advancing, based on tie breaker formula.
Pool B Notes:
1. Canada, 6-0, locked up top spot, plays Puerto Rico.
2. Australia 5-1, plays Argentina Thursday. A win Thursday locks up the 2 spot and a double life. A loss throw things in disarray.
3. Argentina, won Wed, now 4-2, Australia tomorrow. If Aussie continue strong play, Argentina falls to 4-3.
4. Venezuela is 3-2, with Puerto Rico and South Africa remaining (Venezuela beat Argentina). Venezuela likely to finish at 5-2 and wind up as the 3 seed.
Standings After Day 5 after the jump.
Pool A
New Zealand 5-0
United States 4-1
Great Britain 3-2
Japan 3-2
Philippines 2-3
Denmark 2-3
Mexico 1-4
Botswana 0-5
Pool B
Canada 5-0
Australia 4-1
Venezuela 3-2
Argentina 3-2
Puerto Rico 2-3
Czech Republic 2-3
South Africa 1-4
Indonesia 0-5
(Top 4 teams from each pool qualify for the medal round)