(Taipei (Taiwan) = News 1) Reporter Jae-sang Lee = The Korean national baseball team, led by coach Ryu Joong-il, was confirmed to be eliminated from the 2024 WBSC Premier 12 Group B group stage. The goal of advancing to the super round (semi-finals) was also aborted.
On this day, Japan, which was in Group B, won 7-6 in the fourth game against Cuba held at Taipei Tianmu Stadium. Japan secured first place in the group with an exciting 4-game winning streak and was confirmed to advance to the super round.
Taiwan also won 11-3 in the match against Australia held at Taipei Dome, confirming second place with 3 wins and 1 loss.
Even if Korea wins the game against Australia on the 18th and Taiwan loses to Cuba and the score is tied at 3 wins and 2 losses, they will be pushed out of the winner’s bracket and will not be able to overtake Taiwan.
The Premier 12 is divided into two groups of six teams and plays a full league, with the top two teams advancing to the super round. The Super Round will be held at Tokyo Dome in Japan starting on the 21st.
In Group A, Venezuela (4 wins, 1 loss) and the United States (3 wins, 2 losses) early confirmed their advancement to the semifinals.
Korea, which won the 2015 inaugural tournament and was runner-up in the 2nd tournament in 2019, suffered the bitter taste of being eliminated from the group stage for the first time in this tournament.
In preparation for this tournament, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) compiled a roster centered on players in their mid-20s. Although it is important now, it was a calculation with an eye on the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics.
Coach Ryu explained, “We have been undergoing a generational change in the national team since last year’s Asian Games. The Premiere is also a stage where young players can gain experience. We will look forward to the 2026 WBC and the 2028 Olympics.”
Korea, which participated in this tournament with young players with an average age of 24.6, suffered a painful loss to Taiwan in the first game. Korea lost 3-6, with starter Ko Young-pyo (KT) hitting two home runs and allowing six runs until the second inning.
They turned things around by defeating Cuba, but in the third game against Japan, they were unable to maintain a 3-2 lead and lost 3-6.
Korea, which suffered two losses in the first three games, had a last chance to overturn the score 0-6 in the game against the Dominican Republic, but unfortunately, it did not win the ticket to Tokyo that it had hoped for.
Korea will play its final match against Australia at Tianmu Stadium at 1pm on the 18th.
– In what ways can the team’s performance in the 2024 WBSC Premier 12 influence the future development and popularity of baseball in South Korea?
1. Can you tell us about the significance of the 2024 WBSC Premier 12 for the Korean national baseball team and how it fits into the team’s broader goals and plans for future international competitions?
2. How do you assess the performance of the Korean team throughout the tournament, particularly given the challenges posed by the generational transition and young age of the players?
3. Looking back at the game against the Dominican Republic, which proved to be the deciding match for the team’s chances at advancing, can you share your thoughts on the team’s strategy and execution on both offense and defense?
4. How important is it for teams like Korea, which have historically strong baseball programs but are facing declining popularity at home, to perform well in international competitions like the WBSC Premier 12?
5. What are your insights on the current state of Korean baseball and how can it regain its prominence not just nationally but also on the global stage?
