Cuba are one of two unbeaten teams after day three of the WBSC Under-15 Baseball World Cup in Panama ©WBSC

Two-time defending champions Cuba and hosts Panama are the lone unbeaten teams following day three of the World Baseball Softball Confederation Under-15 Baseball World Cup.

Kevin Alcolea Rivero's two-run double in the sixth helped Cuba claim a 9-7 victory over Japan at the Estadio Rico Cedeño in Chitré.

Victory in what was a re-match of the 2016 final made it three wins out of three for the holders in Group B and inflicted a first defeat on their opponents.

Panama, meanwhile, stretched their winning start in Group A to three matches thanks to a 7-3 triumph over Brazil at the Estadio Kenny Serracín in David.

Kenin Pinto Vega struck out six batters over 5.1 innings on the mound to lead the Panamanians to victory.

Today’s other matches in Group B saw the Dominican Republic thrash Australia 20-8 to make it two wins out of three and The Netherlands beat South Africa 18-2 to pick up their first victory.

In Group A, Chinese Taipei upset top-ranked the United States 2-1 to move level with their opponents on two wins from three matches.

There was also a narrow 5-4 success for China over Germany.

Round-robin action in Panama is due to continue tomorrow.

The super round is scheduled to begin on Thursday (August 16).