Japanese baseball fans have expressed shock and frustration after South Korea eliminated Japan Thursday from the World Baseball Classic.

Most Japanese believe their country plays better baseball than South Korea, but the 2-1 loss, Japan's second straight to its Asian rival in the tournament, left them in a state of disbelief.

A Japanese TV commentator, however, praised South Korea's solid defense and impressing pitching.

Meanwhile, ethnic Korean residents in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo shouted for joy after South Korea advanced to the WBC semifinals.

Japanse fans also raised the blown umpire's call in their team's controversial 4-3 loss to the United States.