WBC Japan representative Otani and others practice for the quarterfinal match against Italy on the 16th

Japanese players prepared for the quarterfinals of the WBC = World Baseball Classic in baseball at the Tokyo Dome on the 14th.

Japan, who won the first round of the WBC with four wins, will face Italy in the quarterfinals on the 16th.

Japanese players such as Shohei Otani and Yu Darvish started practicing on the Tokyo Dome ground where the match will be held from around noon on the 14th.

Of these, in batting practice, Munetaka Murakami, who has a batting average of 10% after finishing the first round and continues to have a difficult turn at bat, hit seven homerun-like hits in free batting, and among them, he hit the signboard above the spectator seats. There was also a big hit to do.

After practice, Murakami said, ``I'm not in perfect condition, but I can't say that.

Also, after practicing on the ground, Ohtani practiced pitching in the bullpen.

Coach Kuriyama Hideki said at a press conference, ``I think the tournament will be a completely different battle from here. I want to go," he said.

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