Sawt Falasteen - Japan edge Australia to reach World Baseball Classic quarter-finals

Japan, watched by the country's Emperor Naruhito at the Tokyo Dome, fell behind to the unfancied Australians in the sixth inning but a two-run home run by Masataka Yoshida got them out of trouble one inning later.

Japan stretched their lead but two dramatic ninth-inning solo home runs from Alex Hall and Rixon Wingrove gave Australia hope until the final out.

Japan were guaranteed a place in the knock-out round before the game even started after Taiwan beat South Korea 5-4 in Pool C earlier in the day.

Australia have another chance to grab a quarter-final place when they face the South Koreans in their final pool game on Monday.

Japan thrashed Australia in pool play at the previous World Baseball Classic in 2023 but they found the cricket-mad country a different proposition this time around.

The Australians held Japan scoreless for the first six innings and some quick thinking got them out of a sticky situation.

With the bases loaded and Japan superstar Shohei Ohtani at the plate in the fourth inning, Australia catcher Robbie Perkins picked off Shugo Maki at second base to get the third out and end the inning.

Japan's defence was not as sharp and a mistake by catcher Kenya Wakatsuki handed Australia the lead through Aaron Whitefield in the sixth inning.

Yoshida calmed Japan's nerves with a home run in the next inning but Australia's late heroics kept the game alive until Japan closed it out.

Australia are locked in a three-way battle with Taiwan and South Korea for the final quarter-final spot from Pool C.

Japan face the already-eliminated Czech Republic in their final game on Tuesday.

I.Matar--SF-PST