WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL C - KOREA VS JAPAN

March 7, 2026

Ji-Hyun Ryu

Tokyo Dome

Team Korea

Postgame Press Conference

Japan 8, Korea 6

Q. That was a close game. Although you're defeated, how do you feel right now?

JI-HYUN RYU: Yes, our original game plan was how do we go until the bottom of the fifth. We gave up four home runs until that three innings, until the third inning, so that's something that's not expected from our game plan.

Q. What was that moment that you regret? Probably the seventh inning. You changed pitchers at the seventh inning. Can you explain why you change him?

JI-HYUN RYU: Yeah, when Kim Young pitched at the Czech Republic game he pitched well, so I put him to faced against Ohtani know and Kondoh because he's lefty-lefty.

So that's why I put him. But result is something I don't deserve.

Q. Previously, three years ago, you were defeated by Japan by large differences. Tonight you were -- that was so close game. What's the differences between three years ago and today?

JI-HYUN RYU: I don't think it's a proper way to mention regarding the game of 2023 WBBC. I was assign the from 2025, and from that point where I assigned I think the Team Korea is improving going forward in a good way.

So although we were defeated tonight, going to try to get a win for tomorrow, next game.

Q. Looking back at the Premier 12, when you clinch Japan's game, that was you're stop losing streak by nine. As a manager, do you think is there any big differences or is...

JI-HYUN RYU: Well, let me explain about the WBBC. Let me explain tonight's game instead of explaining Premier 12, previous Premier 12.

Tonight from the top first we run, we swing aggressively and we run some early in the game.

I think our offense is swinging very good so when we go back to hotel, we start preparing for tomorrow's game.