By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korea's national baseball team will look to its offensive-oriented strategy in a must-win game against Taiwan Saturday in the final qualifying round for the Beijing Olympics.
``Irrespective of whether Taiwan goes with a left- or right-hander as a starter, We will seek to score as soon as possible and have at least four runs to seal a victory,'' manager Kim Kyung-moon said before the Korean teams' official training at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium.
``Depending on each player's condition on the day of the game, I will direct them to vigorously attack or bunt. As a visitor, taking the control of the game is very important.
``I have decided who will start and be on the lineup. If a starter lasts until the fifth inning, I will use up the bullpen to lead to a win.''
However, the 49-year-old ― who also heads the Doosan Bears, did not notice Saturday's starter.
He said, either Park Chan-ho, Jeon Byung-ho or Ryu Jae-kuk would throw it.
Along with the vigorous attack, what Kim is worried about is error.
``Outfielders are expected to be in trouble on the field because of strong winds. I will ask them to be careful in call-play,'' Kim said.
``We came here to defeat Taiwan. Since Taiwanese batters have power, I will strive to pitch low. We have trained for one month and half, so I expect good results,'' said Park.
Meanwhile, the Taiwanese team, led by manager Tai-yuan Kuo, is rated weaker than expected.
Its mound suffers absent and inured key players, and the South Korean team has often faced the batters.
Chin-hui Tsao of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who was 0-1 with a 4.38 ERA, can be used as a starter and a reliever, but the teams missed Chien-Ming Wang of the New York Yankees, Hong-chih Kuo of the Dodgers, Chien-ming Chiang of the Yomiuri Giants and Taiwan's Uni-President Lions ace Wei-lun Pan.
As for hitters, former Dodger Chin-feng Chen, Chih-sheng Lin, and Tai-shan Chang, whom we are familiar with, will make up the batting order.
With the Taiwanese team's capability revealed, the Korean team is optimistic about the match.
``I believe our batters will knock out any lefty pitcher,'' manager Kim said.
Tampa Bay Rays' right-handed Ryu said, ``Taiwan's batters are less than expected.''