The Japanese media hoped that their national baseball team players would play carefully without provoking their opponents in the 5th World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Tokyo Sports recalled on the 27th that in 2006, Suzuki Ichiro ignited the fighting spirit of his rival, Korea, and suffered a bitter defeat.

Japan national team coach Hideki Kuriyama held a press conference in Tokyo, Japan on the 26th and announced the national team roster.

Japan national team coach Hideki Kuriyama held a press conference in Tokyo, Japan on the 26th and announced the national team roster.

Japan previously announced 12 players, including Onati and Darvish, and released a list of 18 players that day. 스포츠토토

On this day, two major leaguers, Nutba and Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox), joined the national team, Munetaka Murakami, Tetsuto Yamada (Yakult Swallows), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Orix Buffaloes), and Kazuma Okamoto (Yomiuri Giants). were selected for the national team.

Following 2006 and 2009, Japan will challenge its third WBC title.

Japanese national team coach Kuriyama said, “The only goal is to stand on top of the world. I want to show the soul of Japanese baseball. I want to play a winning game by protecting the pitcher properly.”

Japan lost in a row to Korea in the first tournament in 2006. At the time, Ichiro was so confident that he said, “I want to win so that my opponent feels like they can’t touch Japan for the next 30 years.” It was a remark that would show the difference in level between Japanese baseball and Korea.

As a result, the Korean media rushed to report on Ichiro’s remarks, only raising the fighting spirit of Korean baseball players.

Japan won the championship at the time, but suffered straight losses to Korea in rounds 1 and 2, denting their pride.

Tokyo Sports said, “Ichiro’s 30-year remarks motivated Korean players. At that time, Korea defeated Japan in the second round. Ichiro, who saw a scene where some Korean players put the Taegeukgi on the mound, cursed and became angry. It was captured on the broadcast screen as it was. Afterwards, Japan defeated Korea in the semi-finals and won the championship, but Ichiro’s remarks about 30 years became a big stain on Samurai Japan.”

But Shohei Ohtani said it was different. He said he has one of the best skills in the major leagues, but he doesn’t look down on Korea.

At a recent press conference, Ohtani said, “There are many great players in Korea. Korea is a team with top players who can fight on the world stage. They are playing great baseball.”

Tokyo Sports said, “Japan is aiming for the world’s best. It would be a natural flow to ban provocative acts,” and “I hope that Samurai Japan will overcome difficult battles with a heart of respect for the opponent like Otani.”