Dave Nilsson, Director of Australia.

Photo: KYODO

Australia lost this Wednesday to Cuba in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, in a close game, but signed its best historical performance in these contests.

Much of this outstanding work is thanks to its experienced manager Dave Nilsson, a former catcher at the Major League level, played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1992 to 1999, reaching All-Star status in 1999 to become the first Australian to appear in an All-Star Game.

He finished his career with 837 games, 789 hits, 105 home runs and a .284 batting average.

He represented Australia at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.

At the end of the game against Cuba, he offered statements at a press conference and showed great respect for Cuban baseball.

These were his statements:

Journalist

: Considerations of today's game

Dave Nilsson:

Right now I am very disappointed.

You know, we had a chance, we had chances to win this game and we just couldn't pull it off.

We did many things well, we played very well and in many areas, but in the end we couldn't.

Q.

In the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Dome, there were more than 35,000, it was packed, although it was not a game for the Japanese team.

Looking back on the fifth WBC tournament, what does it mean for the Australian baseball team?

Dave Nilsson:

It feels very rewarding.

I really felt like the fans were behind us tonight.

I felt that the Japanese really identified with the Australia team.

I'm very proud of that and I'm very proud of the way my players have performed over the last three or four weeks, not just here in Tokyo but in other cities we've been to.

Very proud.

Q.

Today, although you were defeated by Cuba, Cuba is going to the Semifinals so, do you have any message for Team Cuba?

Dave Nilsson:

We wish them the best of luck.

All the teams that are still in the WBC deserve to be there, I hope they play well and compete well.

They've done a lot to get to this position, and you know, they played well enough to beat us tonight.

I wish the best of lucks.

I like your manager.

Good Guy.

We talked before the game.

Yes, they just played a good game and I wish them the best.

Q.

How can Australian baseball build on what it has accomplished this week?

Dave Nilsonn:

I think we are very confident as a country now.

Now we know what we are capable of.

We know that we can continue to improve and play on the big stage.

So I think the lesson for this team and for all the people of Australia and all the children who play baseball in Australia is that there is a lot of hope for the future.

Q.

In the top of the ninth, Martinez had a 1-2-3 inning.

Martinez pitches for the Dragons, where you used to play.

Do you have something specific to say about him?

Dave Nilsson

: I wish I had been there when I played for Chunichi.

He is very good.

He threw very hard.

He had a really good slider, I think they're lucky to have him on the team.

Q.

Usually in an environment like this, in a national team environment, you probably don't have exactly the same group again.

You will have many of the players perhaps, but you will not have exactly the same team.

Considering what they went through from camp to go further than any other Australian team in the WBC, what will they remember about this particular team?

Dave Nilsson

: I think one thing that Team Australia is unique about is that we have a very small player pool, so we'll actually have a lot of players in the next WBC.

You know, that's one of the strengths of Australia is that we have a really small player pool, so we can build a program and already identify who the players are going to be over the next three to five years.

And unlike other countries that have hundreds of players to choose from, if not thousands, I can really plan for that over a three or four year period.

That's part of my role with Team Australia, not just to play well now, but to make sure that in 2026 when we come back, we're playing well there and that I have all the right pieces.

Q.

You played against Cuba tonight.

They have a former major league player on the roster.

What's your strength, after you just played them, nine innings?

Dave Nilsson

: They're very athletic, they make you work for your outs and I think probably their hitting tonight stood out, they drew a lot of walks, probably the difference in the game is that we put too much pressure on ourselves and that's probably a compliment to his hitters for being patient.

Q.

You were supposed to introduce yourself before the Cuban press conference, or if you have a players' meeting, if you have a comment, what kind of conversation did you have, if you had a players' meeting?

Dave Nilsson

: Yes, I met with the group.

I've met with all the staff and all the players and everyone who's been involved and I congratulated them on the display they've put on not only over the last week, but over the last month and the last six months.

It takes a lot of people going under the radar to put on a performance like we've had and we've had a lot of people in the background doing a lot of work.

So my message is congratulations to everyone and you know, the disappointment will eventually wear off.

I think we have built a very good platform for the future of Australian baseball.

Q.

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In my opinion, the Australia team is now ready to advance to the semifinal level for the WBC tournament.

How do you predict and how do you see the future as well?

Dave Nilsson

: Thanks, I agree with you.

I have shown that we are capable and very united, so thank you for saying that.