Premier 12 Group stage elimination confirmed ahead of final match against Australia
Kim Hyeong-jun replaces Park Dong-won as a starter against Taiwan for the first time
Coach Ryu Joong-il of the Korean national baseball team, who failed to advance to the 2024 WBSC Premier 12 Super Round (semi-finals), expressed deep regret, saying that the loss against Taiwan in the first game was decisive.
Coach Ryu met with reporters ahead of the match against Australia in the 5th game of Group B of the Premier 12 held at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan on the 18th, and said, “It was frustrating because we couldn’t win the game against Taiwan that we should have won,” and “we lost to Taiwan and were eliminated.” “We have to plan for the next competition,” he said.
Korea, which currently has 2 wins and 2 losses, was already confirmed to be eliminated from the group stage the day before (17th).
Japan won 4 times, and Taiwan took 1st and 2nd place in the group with 3 wins and 1 loss. Even if Korea defeats Australia on this day and Taiwan loses on the final day, Korea will be pushed out of the winner’s bracket and will not be able to advance.
As Coach Ryu said, the loss in the first game was decisive. In the first game against Taiwan on the 13th, Korea fell 3-6 with starter Ko Young-pyo suffering a poor performance, allowing 6 runs in 2 innings.
Afterwards, they rebounded by beating Cuba 9-3, but lost 3-6 in the third game against Japan, effectively confirming their elimination. Even though they eventually defeated the Dominican Republic, they suffered the bitter taste of elimination before the final match.
Korea, which won the inaugural tournament in 2015 and was runner-up in the second tournament in 2019, suffered the pain of being eliminated in the group stage for the first time.
He said, “you have to win the game you have to win,” and “It was the same in the past at the WBC and other competitions. “It became difficult once we got caught in the first game,” he said, biting his lip.
Director Ryu saw hope even in the midst of disappointment. In Korea, young players with an average age of 24.6 participated in this tournament, targeting the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics.
The head coach said, “I feel like the middle pitchers have grown a lot,” and encouraged, “Now that this year is over, we need to grow even more while playing in the KBO League next year.”
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The starting pitcher is right-hander Ko Young-pyo.
Instead of Park Dong-won, Kim Hyeong-jun took the opportunity to play as a starter for the first time in this competition. Kim Do-young, who was replaced during the game against Dominica due to pelvic pain, also appeared as a designated hitter instead of third baseman.
He said, “All pitchers except Kwak Bin and Lim Chan-gyu will prepare,” and “Since (elimination) is confirmed anyway, we will win the last game.”
(Taipei (Taiwan) = News 1)
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What were the key factors that led to the Korean national baseball team’s elimination from the 2024 WBSC Premier 12?
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re diving into the recently concluded group stage of the 2024 WBSC Premier 12, where the Korean national baseball team faced a tough elimination. I’m joined by baseball expert Dr. Lee Min-suk, a sports analyst with a keen eye for international baseball dynamics. Dr. Lee, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Lee Min-suk: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here to discuss the Premier 12 and the future of Korean baseball.
Editor: Let’s start with the Korean team’s performance. They’ve been eliminated from the tournament’s group stage for the first time. What are your thoughts on what went wrong?
Dr. Lee: It’s indeed a disappointing outcome for Korea, especially given their strong baseball history. The decisive factor was their loss to Taiwan in the opening game, where they lost 3-6. That set a negative tone for the tournament. Coach Ryu Joong-il mentioned the frustration stemming from that loss, and it’s clear that early games are critical in tournaments like this.
Editor: Absolutely. Coach Ryu expressed deep regret about that loss, calling it a game that they should have won. How do you think that impacted the team’s morale in subsequent matches?
Dr. Lee: The psychological impact of a significant early loss can be enormous. It not only affects morale but also player confidence as they progress through the tournament. After that loss, the team managed to rebound against Cuba, winning 9-3, but the defeat against Japan reinforced their vulnerability. It demonstrates how one game can echo through the rest of a competition.
Editor: Speaking of the players, we saw some changes in the lineup, including Kim Hyeong-jun starting for the first time this tournament. What does this indicate about the team’s strategy going forward?
Dr. Lee: Kim’s promotion to the starting lineup signifies a shift towards utilizing younger talent. With the average age of the squad being around 24.6, Coach Ryu seems focused on developing younger players for future competitions, including the 2026 World Baseball Classic and the 2028 LA Olympics. This could be a strategic move to build a more resilient team for the future.
Editor: So, there’s a silver lining despite this tournament’s setback?
Dr. Lee: Exactly! Coach Ryu highlighted the growth of the middle pitchers, and even though they faced elimination, there’s potential for these young players to evolve in the KBO next season. It’s essential for them to take these experiences and learn from them, fostering resilience and performance under pressure.
Editor: The elimination comes after Korea previously won the tournament in 2015 and finished as runners-up in 2019. How does this change the perception of Korean baseball on the international stage?
Dr. Lee: While it may seem like a step back, it’s important to note that every team goes through ups and downs in their development cycle. This elimination can serve as a wake-up call to evaluate strategies and player development. Korean baseball has a solid foundation, but the international competition is fierce. This setback may motivate the federation to invest more in player development and scouting to maintain global competitiveness.
Editor: As we look ahead, what should the focus be for the Korean team as they prepare for the upcoming major events?
Dr. Lee: The immediate focus should be on nurturing the younger talent, reinforcing team chemistry, and building a comprehensive performance strategy. Additionally, learning from losses is crucial—analyzing what went wrong can help them make the necessary adjustments and adjustments in gameplay. Engaging in more international games before the 2026 WBC will also help in sharpening their competitive edge.
Editor: That’s insightful, Dr. Lee. Thank you for your valuable perspectives on the current state of Korean baseball and its future outlook.
Dr. Lee: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to see how the team develops in the coming years.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. We hope this discussion sheds light on the intricacies of international baseball competition and the promising future ahead for the Korean national team. Stay tuned for more updates on sports and beyond!