TOKYO—In a pregame press conference ahead of Saturday's World Baseball Classic Pool C clash at Tokyo Dome against rival South Korea, Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata said he wants victory through 'Japanese-style connected baseball.'
Ibata emphasized team plays befitting Japan's world No. 1 ranking. "I want to win this game playing the Japanese style of connected baseball," he said.
On the intense Japan-South Korea rivalry, Ibata identified the biggest threat: "The scariest thing is a big blow with runners on base." He stressed discipline: "We have to do our best not to give up walks or commit errors on defense. As long as we win the game, it will be enough. I hope players will all do their part."
Infielder Shugo Maki cautioned about South Korea's lineup power. "Anybody in that lineup can hit a home run," Maki said. "Even though we won last night, this is a brand new game. So we will try not to give up the first run."
In other Saturday Pool C action, Chinese Taipei earned its first victory, a 14-0 mercy-rule rout of Czechia after seven innings. Highlights: Stuart Fairchild's 389-foot grand slam in the second off Jan Novak, Chang Yu's four RBIs (run-scoring single in first and sixth), and Chen Chen-Wei's sacrifice fly in the fifth. Chinese Taipei (1-2) faces must-win South Korea on Sunday at noon. Czechia (0-3) is eliminated.
Current Pool C standings: Japan (1-0), South Korea (1-0), Chinese Taipei (1-2), Czechia (0-3).