"Will become an even more formidable South Korea," Captain Noh Si-hwan expresses confidence: "A gold medal that everyone desires" [Okazaki on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I want to present a gold medal that everyone desires."

Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles), captain of the South Korean baseball national team, expressed confidence in winning the gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) Asian Games baseball tournament. After experiencing ups and downs early in the opening match against Taiwan, he is determined to maintain the momentum that shifted in his team's favor from the middle of the game onward.

Following a 5-0 victory over Taiwan in the Group B opener of the tournament at Okazaki Central General Park Baseball Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 21st, Noh Si-hwan stated during a press conference: "I believe today's win will make South Korea even more formidable. It was a great game."

Of course, the team did not immediately gain momentum against Taiwan. The Korean lineup struggled against Lin Yi-wei, an industrial league pitcher known for his unique pitching motion, managing only one hit through five innings. His unfamiliar delivery style, moderate speed, and precise control posed significant challenges for the batters.

Noh Si-hwan also remarked: "The opposing pitcher's control was excellent. We were prepared for fastballs, so it was indeed difficult during the game. The movement of breaking balls was unfamiliar, making the early innings tough. Although we recognized the pitcher's motion beforehand, adapting during actual gameplay proved challenging."

However, after Lin Yi-wei left the mound in the sixth inning, the Korean lineup regained focus. They added two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings to solidify their lead. While the Korean batting line had managed only one hit through five innings, it transformed completely in the latter half of the game. Ryu Ji-hyun, the hitting coach, evaluated: "After the fifth inning, tension eased and the lineup came alive."

Noh Si-hwan acknowledged the early struggles against Taiwan but emphasized the significance of turning the tide. He stated: "Even before arriving in Nagoya, I told everyone that with many young players on the team, once we gain momentum, we will become a truly formidable squad. Today's performance was excellent," expressing his satisfaction.

He also conveyed gratitude to the many fans who visited the stadium. In fact, the venue was filled with supporters wearing uniforms from all 10 KBO League teams, singing cheers for the national team. Having heard the fans' support in Japan, Noh Si-hwan vowed to repay their love by delivering a gold medal.

He added: "Thanks to the fans, I gained tremendous strength. As it was our first game, there was some nervousness. However, the fans' encouragement helped ease my tension. I am truly grateful." He continued with determination: "If you continue to support us in the remaining games, we hope to present a gold medal that both you and we desire — one that everyone wants. We want to repay your support."

He also did not forget to applaud ace pitcher Kwak Bin, who dominated the Taiwanese lineup after starting the game. Over six innings, Kwak allowed just one hit while recording an impressive 10 strikeouts, completely overpowering the opposing batters. Noh Si-hwan smiled and said: "It was comfortable fielding behind him. Thanks to that, my tension eased significantly. He recorded many strikeouts and rarely allowed contact. I believe he demonstrated the qualities of a national team ace. We look forward to similar outstanding pitching in his next appearance."

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*This content was translated by AI.