Manager Ryu Ji-hyun: "Rematch Against Japan, We Will Produce a Good Result"

South Korean national baseball team manager Ryu Ji-hyun, who secured a chance for a fifth consecutive Asian Games title after defeating China, expressed confidence in getting revenge, saying, "I expected a rematch with Japan in the final."

Meeting with reporters after winning 9-2 in the second Super Round game against China held at the Toyohashi Municipal Baseball Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 26th, Manager Ryu said, "Our goal for this tournament was six wins and no losses, but things didn't go as planned in the game against Japan. Ahead of this tournament, we analyzed that Japan's strength should not be underestimated, and we figured we would meet them in the final."

South Korea suffered a 0-5 upset loss to Japan, which is composed of corporate (industrial-league) baseball players, on the 25th, but advanced to the final with a Super Round record of two wins and one loss by defeating China on this day.

Japan secured its ticket to the final with an undefeated record after defeating Taiwan earlier in the day.

The national baseball team will play the gold medal match against Japan at 6:30 PM on the 27th at the same venue.

Today's game against China started somewhat anxiously.

Due to rain that poured down even before the start of the game, the match was delayed by an hour, and the players took the field without being able to warm up properly.

In the first inning, starting pitcher Choi Min-seok (Doosan Bears) looked somewhat shaky and conceded the opening run.

However, Choi continued a scoreless streak from the second inning onward, holding China to just one run through seven innings.

Manager Ryu said, "Because we used up quite a few pitchers in yesterday's game against Japan, we were in a situation where Choi Min-seok needed to go deep into the game. By taking responsibility for seven innings, he gave a huge boost to our preparation for tomorrow's game."

He added, "In the first inning, his two-seam fastballs were getting hit solidly, but we prepared a different pattern, and it seemed he pitched well by increasing his breaking balls."

Regarding the production of hits by Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers), Moon Hyun-bin, and Noh Si-hwan (both Hanwha Eagles), who had been somewhat sluggish in this tournament, he said, "More than anything, Kim Do-young produced a good batted ball in his final plate appearance. It allows us to look forward to tomorrow's game."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.