Ichiro Still Top `Samurai` Says Japan Coach

The Seattle Mariners outfielder`s average dipped to .130 while his hitless streak stretched to 11 at-bats in Japan`s final warm-up game.

Ichiro Suzuki will break out of his current batting slump when the serious business starts at the World Baseball Classic, Japan's coach said on Wednesday.

The Seattle Mariners outfielder's average dipped to .130 while his hitless streak stretched to 11 at-bats in Japan's final warm-up game at the weekend.

But Japan coach Tatsunori Hara backed the 35-year-old to deliver in his team's opening game of the Asian preliminaries against China at Tokyo Dome on Thursday.

"Ichiro is the leader of 'Samurai Japan' and the team's heartbeat," Hara told reporters. "When the chips are down he will come through. I expect him to bounce back in the first game.

"We have a great team and his team mates will rally round Ichiro but I'm sure he will show his strength tomorrow. It would be the perfect way to get the ball rolling."

Japan were surprise winners of the inaugural World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2006 but are under pressure after failing to win a medal at last year's Beijing Olympics.

South Korea beat Japan in the semi-finals before stunning Cuba to win Olympic gold. Korea and Japan are expected to cruise into the second round of the WBC, to be held in the United States.

KOREA FAVOURITES

Hara acknowledged South Korea, who meet Taiwan in their opening game on Friday, were favourites to win the group despite all the Pool A games taking place in Tokyo.

"Korea won the gold medal in Beijing so they will have enormous confidence," he said. "They have wonderful players. I don't want to single anyone out -- they're an awesome team.

"We're the challengers but we'll meet the challenge head on. I've got confidence in my team."

Suzuki's Seattle club mate Kenji Johjima admitted the pressure would be on Japan as holders and hosts of the Asian round of the 16-team competition.

"I would be lying if I said there was no pressure," the catcher told Reuters. "Time doesn't wait for form. We have to be ready to go from tomorrow."

Hara said Yu Darvish would start ahead of Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka against China, for whom Thursday's game could be an exercise in damage limitation.

"It's like the lull before the storm," said Hara, who was named as Japan coach in November under the banner "Samurai Japan" after several candidates rejected the job.

"Finally we've reached the open sea and there will be some waves along the way but the objective for Japan is clear: to be champions again."