Ryu Jihyun is so serious! "Trust the Korean spirit that grows stronger in crisis → If you play with one mind, you will get good results." [the Miami scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

Ryu Ji-hyun (55), head coach of the Korean national baseball team, expressed his determination ahead of the match against the Dominican Republic. Coach Ryu acknowledged the inferiority of his objective power, but expressed his willingness to win based on his unique Korean mentality and unity.

The South Korean national team, led by head coach Ryu Ji-hyun, will play the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarterfinals against the Dominican Republic at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida, at 7:30 a.m. on the 14th (Korea time). It is a very important game with tickets to the semifinals at stake. The losing team packs up in this game.

Coach Ryu Ji-hyun, who held an official press conference before the game, expressed regret about the current team's condition, saying, "I never had enough time to go from Tokyo to Miami." In particular, he mentioned that he is constantly checking the players' sleep conditions, but there are some shortcomings. However, he stressed, "As it is already a set schedule, I have tried to improve my condition until today, and I will show my best performance in it."

Asked about his opponent, the Dominican Republic, head coach Ryu admitted, "It is right to be ahead of the objective power, as a team with candidates and superstars." But he said, "I believe in the spirit of the Korean people. Koreans are a people who become stronger in times of crisis," he said, expressing expectations for a part outside of his power.

In addition, referring to Son Joo-young (LG Twins), who is currently unable to be with him due to injuries, he added, "Even though he is not at the Miami site, all 30 players are together in his heart," adding, "If we play the game with one mind, there will surely be good results."

On the news that the Dominican Republic was wary of South Korea's game style, coach Ryu said, "It's a good feeling that the opponent is afraid of us and thinking about us," with a relaxed smile. The team is currently conducting a strategy analysis with the players in the locker room, and if there are any gaps or shortcomings in the opponent, it has indicated a strategy to make the most of them to solve the game.

On the other hand, coach Ryu explained that he had no intention of hiding the starting lineup, which had been a problem in the Dominican Republic, saying, "I had no intention of strategically hiding it." Then, he revealed the starting list, which leads to Kim Do-young (3rd baseman), Germay Jones (left wing), Lee Jung-hoo (center fielder), Ahn Hyun-min (right wing), Moon Bo-kyung (designated hitter), Shay Witcom (first baseman), Kim Hye-sung (second baseman), Park Dong-won (captor), and Kim Joo-won (striker).

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*This content was translated by AI.