Japan have retained the World Baseball Classic title by beating their Asian rivals South Korea 5-3 in a pulsating 10-innings final at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Seattle Mariners' right-fielder Ichiro Suzuki belted a two-run single in the top of the 10th for his fourth hit of the game to lift Japan to victory over the Olympic champions and repeat their triumph from the inaugural tournament in 2006.
The Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player for the second time.
