"Kwak Bin's 10 Ks and Yoon Dong-hee's Clinching Homer" Ryu Ji-hyun's South Korea Shuts Out Chinese Taipei 5-0, Exacting Perfect Revenge for World Baseball Classic (WBC) Humiliation [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News] The South Korea national baseball team, led by manager Ryu Ji-hyun, opened its campaign for a fifth consecutive Asian Games title with a flawless revenge victory over its toughest opponent, Chinese Taipei. It was a clean win built on overpowering pitching and a focused offensive surge late in the game.
South Korea defeated Chinese Taipei 5-0 in the opening Group B game of the baseball group stage at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Baseball Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 21st.
The victory greatly boosted South Korea's chances of advancing as the group winner. Because the Asian Games carry group-stage head-to-head results into the Super Round, beating Chinese Taipei was worth far more than a single win. South Korea also fully avenged its painful losses to Chinese Taipei at the 2024 WBSC Premier12 and the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), restoring its pride as Asia's leading baseball power. It extended its head-to-head advantage to 22 wins and 14 losses.
The biggest contributor to the victory was the "absolute ace" Kwak Bin (Doosan), who completely dominated the mound. Through six innings, Kwak delivered a flawless no-hit performance against Chinese Taipei's lineup. He allowed only two walks and struck out 10, showcasing on the international stage the full stature of the KBO League's strikeout leader. Chinese Taipei's batters fell like autumn leaves against Kwak's six scoreless innings.

South Korea took the initiative in the bottom of the second against Chinese Taipei's unconventional starter, right-handed sidearm pitcher Lin Yi-wei (Hapjak Geumgo). Moon Bo-kyung (LG) reached on an error by the opposing shortstop, and Kim Joo-won (NC), who went 3-for-4 on the day, followed with a hit to put runners on first and third with no outs. After Cho Hyung-woo (SSG) drew a walk, Park Jae-hyun (KIA) calmly hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home the valuable opening run. Although Lin Yi-wei's strong outing—five innings, one hit and one unearned run—kept South Korea from adding to its lead through the middle innings, the team did not panic.
With the razor-thin 1-0 lead still intact in the bottom of the seventh, South Korea's previously quiet offense finally erupted to seize control. Moon Bo-kyung's walk and Kim Joo-won's hit put runners on first and second with no outs, and Park Jun-soon (Doosan) followed with a sharp run-scoring double. Cho Hyung-woo's ensuing sacrifice fly extended the lead to 3-0.
South Korea effectively sealed the game in the bottom of the eighth. KIM Do-young (KIA) led off with a double, and Moon Hyun-bin (Hanwha) advanced the runner to set up the opportunity. Roh Si-hwan (Hanwha) then hit a sacrifice fly. With two outs, pinch-hitter Yoon Dong-hee (Lotte) launched a solo home run over the left-field wall, forcing Chinese Taipei to concede.

Jo Byeong-hyeon (SSG) and Park Young-hyun (KT) took over on the mound after Kwak Bin departed, forming an impenetrable tandem. Jo threw two scoreless innings, while Park took the mound in the ninth and allowed the first hit, ending South Korea's chance at a team no-hitter. He nevertheless closed out the game cleanly without giving up a run.
After defeating the formidable Chinese Taipei through flawless coordination between its pitching and offense, South Korea will seek consecutive group-stage victories and a first-place finish in Group B against Hong Kong on the 22nd and Thailand on the 23rd.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter