Defending champion Japan rallied to beat Australia 4-3 in the World Baseball Classic, securing Pool C top position. Masataka Yoshida's two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning broke a 1-1 tie, providing the decisive spark. Japan added insurance runs in the eighth before Australia mounted a late rally with two ninth-inning home runs that fell just short.

Japan was held to just five hits but drew 12 walks, with Alex Hall and Rixon Wingrove connecting for Australia. Earlier Sunday, Chinese Taipei defeated South Korea 5-4 in a dramatic 10-inning game. Chinese Taipei hit three home runs, including a two-shot from Stuart Fairchild, but ultimately won on a sacrifice bunt after South Korea had tied the game in the eighth.

The victory assured Japan advancement to the quarterfinals while Australia must beat South Korea on Monday to clinch the other spot from Pool C. Chinese Taipei finished at 2-2, while South Korea stands at 1-2 entering its final matchup. The tightly contested pool sets up crucial elimination matchups as the tournament moves toward its knockout stage.