LOS ANGELES — Tatsunori Hara and Samurai Japan wanted to beat the United States at its own game almost as much as they wanted to defend the World Baseball Classic title.

Now they'll get a chance to do both.

Japan took control of their semifinal showdown with a five-run fourth inning and Daisuke Matsuzaka held the Americans at bay after a rough beginning to lead Japan into the World Baseball Classic final with a 9-4 win over the U.S. on Sunday in Los Angeles.