Taipei: In the opening game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12, South Korea's baseball team faced a challenging start as they fell to Chinese Taipei 6-3 at Taipei Dome. South Korean manager Ryu Joong-il had emphasized the significance of securing a win in this crucial Group B match, and he entrusted the mound to his most reliable starter, Ko Young-pyo. According to Yonhap News Agency, Ko's sidearm delivery and changeup were expected to trouble the Chinese Taipei hitters, but the plan unraveled early. Ko conceded a grand slam and a two-run home run in the second inning, allowing Chinese Taipei to establish a commanding lead. Despite Ko's strong regular season performance in the Korea Baseball Organization, his struggles against Chinese Taipei were evident, with his early mistakes setting the tone for the match. South Korea's attempts to mount a comeback were thwarted by a lack of offensive production, managing only three hits against six Chinese Taipei pitchers. Lin Yu-Min, Chinese Taipei 's starter, held South Korea hitless for three innings. Although South Korea managed to score two runs in the fourth inning and another in the seventh, thanks to Na Seung-yeup's pinch-hit solo home run, their efforts fell short. Kim Do-yeong, one of South Korea's standout performers, expressed optimism despite the loss. He noted that the team was well-prepared and anticipated improved performance in upcoming games. Similarly, Na Seung-yeup remained hopeful, emphasizing the team's resolve to bounce back in the next matches. The defeat continues South Korea's pattern of struggling in opening games of international tournaments, a trend that dates back to losses in previous competitions such as the Asian championships and World Baseball Classic. The team now faces a daunting task, needing victories against formidable opponents like Cuba, Japan, the Dominican Republic, and Australia to advance in the tournament. With Japan considered the group favorite and Cuba boasting strong players like Livan Moinelo, South Korea will need to awaken their bats and maintain strong pitching to have a shot at qualifying for the Super Round.