Ryu Joong-il, head coach of the Korean national baseball team, who failed to stop the jinx of losing the first round of the international tournament, admitted his complete defeat against Taiwan.
Ryu said in an official press conference after losing 3-6 to Taiwan in the first Group B match of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier 12 2024 at Taipei Dome, Taiwan on the 13th, “I’m very sorry to lose the first match.”
South Korea quickly collapsed after starter Ko Young-pyo (kt wiz) set a two-out in the second inning, beat Jeon Wei with a pre-emptive grand slam, and allowed a double to the follow-up hitter Lin Li, and hit a two-run home run again by Jeon Je-shan.
“Ko Young-pyo’s failure to block the opponent’s left-handed hitting line is a loss,” Ryu recalled. “I threw a changeup with the bases loaded with two outs, but it didn’t fall off, so I got hit hard. That’s a shame.”
However, South Korea showed its willingness to chase until the end as bullpen pitchers who took the mound after Ko Young-pyo blocked seven scoreless innings.
Choi Ji-min (KIA Tigers) pitched two ⅔ innings with only one runner on the pitch, and Kwak Do-gyu (KIA), who received Choi Ji-min’s baton with two outs and a runner on the first base, struck out against one batter.
Kim Seo-hyun (Hanwha Eagles), Yoo Young-chan (LG Twins), and Cho Byung-hyun (SSG Landers) allowed no runs in the 6, 7, and 8 innings, respectively. 스포츠토토
Instead, the batters were tied to the Taiwanese pitcher’s team for three hits and only allowed three runs. “Our batters are in good condition. Taiwanese pitchers are good. Not only the starters but also the middle pitchers are good. If I see (Taiwan) again next time, I will target them. I will study about it,” Ryu said.
Korea aims to win its first title at the match against Cuba, which will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday local time at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei. Cuba lost 1-6 at the match against the Dominican Republic held at Tianmu Stadium.
South Korea and Cuba, who played warm-up matches at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 1st and 2nd, will meet again on the single-tree bridge, with one loss each in the main competition.
After that, Korea will play against Japan (15th), the Dominican Republic (16th), and Australia (18th).
Coach Ryu confirmed and announced Kwak Bin (Doosan Bears) as the starting player against Cuba, and Cuban ace Livan Moinello (Softbank Hawks) is expected to play.
“I don’t think there will be much change. I’ll think about it when I get home since Na Seung-yeop hit a home run,” Ryu said. “I’ll analyze Cuba’s starting pitcher tomorrow morning and target him.”
