Japan, Korea in U.S. for Classic play
Teams have workouts, exhibitions before Round 2 action
in his last two games for Team Japan.
real time posted: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 8:45:00 AM
TOKYO -- Japan and Korea, as the top two teams emerging from Pool A of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, now are in Arizona for workouts and exhibition games prior to their Round 2 play at PETCO Park in San Diego, beginning Sunday.
Both teams departed Japan on Monday night, just two hours after the end of their game, in which Korea defeated Japan, 1-0, to win Pool A and delegate defending World Baseball Classic champion Japan to runner-up status.
Their charter flights arrived in Phoenix on Monday, and after a brief period of rest and trying to adjust to the time zone and climate change, both clubs will get right back to business with scheduled practices on Tuesday.
Japan manager Tatsunori Hara said prior to leaving Tokyo: "We would like to have gone to the U.S. as the Pool A winner, but we are just glad to be going. I expect we can shake off the loss to Korea in the Asia Round final and am confident we can defend our 2006 World Baseball Classic title and win it again."
The Japanese side also must be encouraged by the fact team leader and leadoff man Ichiro Suzuki seems to have emerged from a slump. The Mariners star hit only .130 in pre-Asia round exhibition games and was 0-for-5 against China. But he came back with four hits in Japan's two games with Korea.
In addition, it should be pointed out Japan outscored its opponents in three Pool A games by 18-3.
"We will play with pride and respect for the other teams, but we don't fear any opponent," Hara said. "Our players are all in great shape, and we expect to come back to Japan with another Classic trophy."
In Sik Kim, manager of the Korean team, said: "The victory over Japan and the Pool A winner standing gives our team great confidence as we prepare to take on teams from Pool B in California.
"Our pitchers are in top form, and I think our offense will come around after we make a few adjustments," added Kim, referring to a lack of timely hitting, missed signs and an embarrassing baserunning mistake during the two Asia round games against Japan.
Kim also said Korea is looking forward to playing Japan again and to meeting Cuba, the team Korea beat in the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold-medal game last summer.
After the Tuesday workout, Japan is scheduled to play exhibitions against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday in Scottsdale, Ariz., and against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in Mesa, Ariz.
Korea is to play the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Ariz., on Wednesday and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday.
The Asian teams will practice again on Friday and begin World Baseball Classic Pool 1 play on Sunday in San Diego.