Toyohashi:South Korea has extended its dominance in Asian Games baseball by securing a fifth consecutive gold medal at the tournament held in central Japan. The team, managed by Ryu Ji-hyun, overcame significant pressure to achieve this victory.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea faced an early setback, losing 5-0 to a Japanese team of semi-professionals in the first game of the Super Round. However, they turned the tables in the gold medal match, defeating Japan 3-1 at Toyohashi Municipal Baseball Stadium.
Despite the challenges, manager Ryu expressed pride in his players for handling the intense pressure. "Winning a gold medal in a short tournament like this is never easy," Ryu stated, commending his team for their resilience. He noted the added stress of competing against Japan and praised his players for their hard-fought victory.
Key to South Korea's success was starting pitcher Gwak Been, who delivered a standout performance. Pitching 6 1/3 innings, Gwak allowed only one run and struck out nine batters in the final game. Ryu highlighted Gwak's leadership and impact, describing him as the team's MVP.
Ryu also acknowledged the support he received from his staff, emphasizing the crucial role played by the team's scouts and analysts. Their efforts, he said, were instrumental in preparing the team for each game despite the lack of sleep.
Having led South Korea to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic earlier this year, Ryu now plans to take a break from baseball. "For the past two weeks, I staked my life on this tournament," he remarked, expressing a desire to step back and recharge.