WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL C - KOREA VS AUSTRALIA

March 9, 2026

Ji-Hyun Ryu

Tokyo Dome

Team Korea

Pregame Press Conference

Q. In order to get a big win, you have a certain condition best of my knowledge offense and defense. If you can describe your game plan, please.

JI-HYUN RYU: Yes, starting lineup for tonight, same as previous game. Same spot from the top to the fifth. First baseman -- well, I'm going to put the second baseman instead of him. Some players do not play.

We have four pitchers not able to pitch tonight due to the pitching count. The requirement of the condition, we have to minimize very, very minimize the run. At most, two, through the ninth inning.

So early in the game, I'm going to put the best pitchers inning by inning from the beginning.

Q. You still have a possibility but the condition is very difficult, but the mental is very important. Back in 2022 at the soccer World Cup, the national team had a strong will. As of now, what do you think most important thing as a team?

JI-HYUN RYU: So before we game here at the hotel, we had an entire group meeting, the team meeting. Yes, the condition very tough but we can also say that here is our opportunity. So let's go in a positive way.

Everybody knows the condition about the scores. If once the game starts, the baseball game probably lasts approximately three hours. Once the game starts, let's focus the entire three hours and do your role and otherwise, the number will come after, and then the result is coming after as well. Looking back to our result, we had a bittersweet moment a lot. And put all effort together as a team to chase the win.

Additionally, regarding Kim Hyeseong, that last inning when he slid to the base, he got a slight injury of the left-hand side marriage finger, so left-hand marriage finger, he got injured in the last inning's stolen base. So that's something I would like to add regarding my starting lineup.

Q. This 2026 WBC tournament, you guys gave up a lot of home run. How do you see that fact, especially you guys are facing against Australia? They swing hard and they can hit really harding, including last night, two different shots in the ninth inning.

JI-HYUN RYU: Yes, I think apparently I think I can say, I have enough experience playing and coaching and managing in the Tokyo Dome. I know a lot about the Tokyo Dome. While we're having BP in the Tokyo Dome, I can feel the ball flies, not only us but all the teams in Pool C are playing under the same condition, and we've seen a lot of home runs in Pool C. It's not about Team Australia.

Regarding Team Australia, they have a very powerful lineup. We have to make sure we have good pitch command, otherwise they are going to hurt us.

I'm going to ask all of my pitchers to go with their money pitch, minimize the miss lotion and the confidence pitch everyone has. That's my plan.

Q. During the WBC tournament, how do you think about the strike zone? Some are thinking there's a slight difference in the strike zone. On the other hand, two years ago, KBO is already using similar to ABS system. So are you expecting the WBC tournament to start using ABS systems, also?

JI-HYUN RYU: Regarding the strike and ball call by umpires, I don't feel -- I'm not saying, Oh, this team is fair, this team is being treated unfair. I'm not saying that.

And also, I don't mention any excuses even though we are struggling. My point regarding to the two questions, it's not a big deal to us, and this is all I can say for now.