Seoul: With a shared understanding of the significance of any sporting contest against Japan, South Korean players are gearing up to tackle their rivals in the upcoming baseball exhibition games in Tokyo, as expressed by national team manager Ryu Ji-hyun. The team departed for the Japanese capital on Wednesday, with the games scheduled at Tokyo Dome over the weekend.

According to Yonhap News Agency, these exhibition matches serve as part of South Korea's early preparations for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) set for March next year. Ryu's squad, having secured victories against the Czech Republic in recent tuneup games in Seoul, is now set to challenge the defending WBC champion and world No. 1, Japan. Ryu emphasized the added significance of the Korea-Japan showdown, despite being exhibition games, and expressed his team's readiness to secure wins.

Both teams will compete without their Major League Baseball players. South Korea's roster primarily includes young talents from the Korea Baseball Organization, while Japan's lineup features stars from Nippon Professional Baseball. Ryu acknowledged the challenge posed by Japan's top-tier domestic players, noting their formidable pitchers and hitters.

Right-hander Moon Dong-ju anticipates the games will have the intensity of high-stakes contests, with both teams eager to claim victory in this regional rivalry. He expressed the team's determination to win all four games planned for the month, having already won two. Moon acknowledged Japan's strength but remained optimistic about South Korea's chances if mistakes are minimized.

Shortstop Kim Ju-won highlighted the importance of an aggressive approach against unfamiliar Japanese pitchers. He noted that while Japanese pitchers have excellent command and throw hard, this could play to South Korea's advantage if they maintain their season-long hitting strategy.