The Korean National Team, led by manager Ryu Jung-il, lost 3-4 in the final game of the Asian Baseball Confederation Championship against Japan at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on March 19. Despite falling short of the top spot, Ryu and his coaching staff and players lined up on the field after the game to applaud the Japanese team's victory.
Japanese sports media outlet The Anchor praised the Korean team's sore loser attitude. The outlet said, "Samurai Japan defeated South Korea 4-3 in extra innings in the final of the Asian Baseball Championship at the Tokyo Dome on Nov. 19. It was their second consecutive title after winning the inaugural tournament in 2017."
"It was a breathtaking battle between Japan and South Korea, but the sportsmanship shown by the Korean national team after the game moved the fans." "The loss must have been very disappointing, but the broadcast cameras captured the Korean team's coach Ryu Joong-il clapping on the bench," said The Answer. Japanese fans also praised Ryu's sportsmanship on social media.
"The Korean team congratulated Samurai Japan on their victory and took off their hats to greet the third-base stands," the outlet said. The fans applauded the players for doing their best." 토토
Meanwhile, coach Ryu Jung-il said in a return interview at Gimpo International Airport on the 20th, "This tournament was created for the young players to improve their skills and gain experience. It would have been nice to win a gold medal, but playing Japan twice would have given the players a lot of confidence," he said.
"We did well, but I think our opponents were more nervous because it was against Japan. Their pitchers and batters are much better than ours. Our players worked hard, but playing against them must have given them a lot of confidence. We can't rest on our laurels, we start next year at the end of March, so we're going to the Premier12 in November and then we'll see. I think more than half the squad will be here."
He also sees hope for generational change. "Especially the starting and middle pitchers pitched so well. I see hope, but I hope they can improve without injuries," he said.