Tokyo: South Korea's manager Ryu Ji-hyun views the upcoming baseball exhibition games against Japan as a chance to reward fans for their loyalty. This weekend, South Korea's national team, comprised of Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) stars, will face Samurai Japan at Tokyo Dome, marking part of both countries' preparation for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) next March.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ryu emphasized the importance of these games in the context of their recent performances at the WBC, where South Korea aims to surpass the initial phase for the first time since 2009. Notably, they failed to advance beyond the preliminary rounds in 2013, 2017, and 2023. Ryu remarked on the significance of these matches, stating they are an opportunity to bring joy to fans and reward their steadfast support.

The KBO has invested in nurturing young talent by sending them to recent competitions like the 2023 Asian Games and 2024 Premier12. Many of these young players, now part of the national team, are expected to play pivotal roles. Captain Park Hae-min, one of the team's veteran players at 35, expressed confidence in the team's ability to showcase the progress of Korean baseball, emphasizing the importance of winning to build confidence ahead of the WBC.

Japanese manager Hirokazu Ibata acknowledged the longstanding rivalry with South Korea and the upcoming exhibition games as valuable preparation for defending their WBC title. He noted the formidable talent within the South Korean team, highlighting players like Hanwha Eagles' Roh Si-hwan and KT Wiz's Ahn Hyun-min for their impressive performances in the KBO.

Ryu identified Japanese players Chihiro Sumida and Shugo Maki as key opponents. Maki, who attended the press conference, expressed his determination not to lose to Korea, recalling the historic rivalry between the two nations in international baseball competitions.

Ibata, when asked about the availability of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani for the WBC, sidestepped the question with humor, acknowledging the sensitive nature of such discussions. Speculation surrounds Ohtani's participation due to potential injury concerns and insurance costs, but Ibata assured that preparations are underway.