Doubles from Allen Córdoba, Jose Caballero, and Jahdiel Santamaria powered the Panamanians to a resounding 12-5 victory in Pool A at the Taichung Stadium in Taiwan.

The scoreboard was barren for the first three innings until Panama burst into life with five runs.

Although a steady stream of scores came for their opponents in the next four periods, a six-run period in the sixth destroyed any hopes of a close game.

Allen Cordoba's dart to home base at the top of the seventh proved to be the final score for Panama as they shot to the top of the group.

The two favourites from Pool A - Cuba and The Netherlands - faced off in the tournament opener in front of 6,501 people at the Taichung Stadium.

It was a cagey affair, with one run apiece, until the sixth innings which saw the Dutch explode into a 4-1 lead.

A Yoelkis Guibert score at the top of the seventh was all that Cuba could muster as a comeback as the game ended 4-2.

"It feels great," said The Netherlands' head coach Hensley Meulens.

"It's very, very important to win the first game.

"It takes a monkey off your back right away.

"It relaxes everybody.

"We know we have the talent."

Meulens has instructed his pitchers to throw to contact so their defence can take the outs.

"Despite throwing six walks, we got some 17 ground-ball outs and that's a stellar defence these guys can play," he said.

"That's why we've got a bunch of Gold Gloves out there."

Pool A is set to continue tomorrow as The Netherlands face Panama in their next test while Italy take on Cuba.

Pool B is also due to begin tomorrow in Japan's Tokyo Dome as Australia meet South Korea and China challenge the pool hosts.