"AG comes with 'unconditional' expectations," relieved five-time champion coach says, "Wanted to praise players who overcame pressure greater than imagined" [Incheon Airport]

*This content was translated by AI.

Ryu Ji-hyun (55), who led the Korean national baseball team to a fifth consecutive Asian Games (AG) gold medal, was the first to applaud the players for overcoming pressure.

After returning home through Incheon International Airport on the 28th, Manager Ryu stated, "It seems that the word 'unconditional' is always attached to the Asian Games. The weight of this 'unconditional' expectation is greater than you might imagine." He added, "I really want to praise the players for overcoming this pressure and achieving a five-peat."

On the previous day (the 27th), South Korea defeated Japan 3-1 in the baseball final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at Toyota City Citizen Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, securing the gold medal.

This marks five consecutive championships starting from Guangzhou 2010, followed by Incheon 2014, Jakarta-Palembang 2018, and Hangzhou 2022 (held in 2023). The team also set a record with its seventh all-time Asian Games gold medal. All 16 non-drafted players on the national team will receive military service benefits.

The path was not smooth, making the victory even more meaningful. South Korea suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat against Japan in the Super Round, leaving them on the brink of elimination, but they bounced back by defeating China 9-2 to reach the final. In their rematch with Japan two days later, Kwak Bin (27, Doosan Bears) held strong for 6⅓ innings allowing only one run. Kim Do-young (23, KIA Tigers) and Moon Bo-kyung (26, LG Twins) delivered key hits in the eighth inning when the score was tied 1-1, securing revenge.

The mental burden felt by the coaching staff during this process was also significant. Manager Ryu said, "Being a national team manager carries considerable weight. There is responsibility and a sense of mission." He emphasized, "We prepare extensively before the tournament, but once it begins, we have no choice but to give everything. I want to acknowledge the players for achieving the gold medal we promised."

That burden did not easily disappear even in the final. Manager Ryu noted, "It is different from playing with a calm mindset. Since the term 'unconditional' is involved, the players must have faced various stresses."

Before the final, he carefully reviewed their first loss to Japan. Manager Ryu explained, "While preparing for the Super Round, we conducted power analysis and addressed our weaknesses. We emphasized needing to cover more closely around the strike zone, which seemed to work well during the game."

He also expressed gratitude to the 10th clubs that cooperated with the national team's operations. Manager Ryu stated, "In the KBO League where fierce ranking battles continue, it would be difficult to manage various aspects without the collaboration of all 10 Koo Dan-gwa (CEO) teams. I am grateful to the clubs that provided so much support."

With the burden of a five-peat lifted, Manager Ryu looked toward the future of the Lee Je (CEO) team. He said, "In the past, the national team was more of an ad-hoc arrangement, but now it is being systematized in a sustainable direction. There is great potential for significant development ahead for the Korean national baseball team. I am very hopeful," he smiled.

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*This content was translated by AI.