WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL C - AUSTRALIA VS JAPAN

March 8, 2026

Masataka Yoshida

Tokyo Dome

Team Japan

Postgame Flash Interview

Japan 4, Australia 3

Q. Your two-run home run led the team to a third consecutive victory. Great hitting.

MASATAKA YOSHIDA: Thank you.

Q. What was your mindset going to the plate?

MASATAKA YOSHIDA: The dugout had a tense atmosphere, so I wanted to lift the mood. I’m glad I was able to do that.

Q. That wasn’t an easy pitch to hit.

MASATAKA YOSHIDA: We were facing a series of tough pitchers, and I just wanted to take my best swing. Luckily, it ended up being a home run.

Q. Scoring wasn’t as easy as it was in the last two games, but you certainly did the job expected of a cleanup hitter.

MASATAKA YOSHIDA: At an international event you have to face tough opponents day after day. We showed our resilience and never gave up. The most important thing is that we got the win.

Q. As a result, Team Japan secured first place in Pool C. However, you still have a game to play the day after tomorrow, and you will face more tough opponents in Miami. What are your thoughts?

MASATAKA YOSHIDA: We are very thankful for the tremendous support and cheers the fans give us every single day. Your voices are definitely reaching all the players. We’ll put everything we have into the final game in Tokyo.

Q. Fans will continue to cheer for you in the last game in Tokyo and when you are in Miami. Can we have a message for those ardent fans?

MASATAKA YOSHIDA: We knew today would be a big game and a must-win for us. All of us gave it everything we had to earn this win. There will be more tough games in Miami, but we will come together as a team and approach each game with a must-win mindset.