Japan Reach World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals

Tokyo, March 12 (Jiji Press)--Japan reached the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals for the fifth straight tournament Sunday, finishing the first stage atop Pool B by defeating all four rivals.

In a Pool B day game in Tokyo on Sunday, South Korea downed the Czech Republic 7-3, sending Japan to the last eight of the 20-team tournament.

Japan beat Australia 7-1 in a night game in Tokyo the same day after winning three games in a row, against China, South Korea and the Czech Republic.

In the quarterfinals, Japan will face Italy in Tokyo on Thursday.

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