Korea Held Back by Taiwan... Final Decider Against Australia Tomorrow

4-5 Loss to Taiwan in Third Group C Game of the WBC
Two Consecutive Defeats After Win Against Czech Republic; Record Now 1-2
Quarterfinal Hopes Alive with Possible Win Over Australia

The Korean national baseball team was held back by the formidable Taiwan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), making their quest to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years even more difficult.

Under the leadership of manager Ryu Ji-hyun, Korea lost to Taiwan 4-5 after a 10-inning extra-innings tiebreak in the third game of the Group C preliminary round of the 2026 WBC, held at Tokyo Dome in Japan on March 8, 2026.

Korea recorded one win and two losses in the group stage, defeating the Czech Republic (11-4 win), then losing to Japan (6-8 loss) and Taiwan. On March 9 at 7:00 p.m., Korea will face Australia (with two wins) in a decisive match for a ticket to the quarterfinals. Australia has defeated Taiwan (3-0 win) and the Czech Republic (5-1 win) in succession, and will play its third group league game against Japan (2 wins) at 7:00 p.m. today.

Dean Dunning of Korea is seen expressing regret after allowing a towering two-run home run to Stuart Fairchild in the 8th inning of the third match of Group C in the 2026 World Baseball Classic held at Tokyo Dome in Japan on the 8th. Tokyo – Yonhap News Agency

If Australia loses to Japan and Korea beats Australia, all three teams—Korea, Taiwan, and Australia—would have two wins and two losses. In this case, the second-place team will be determined by comparing the ratio of runs allowed to outs recorded in the head-to-head matches among Korea, Taiwan, and Australia.

Korea’s starting lineup consisted of Kim Doyeong (KIA Tigers), Justyn-Henry Malloy (Detroit Tigers), Lee Junghoo (San Francisco Giants), An Hyeonmin (kt Wiz), Moon Bokyung (LG Twins), Shay Whitcomb (Houston Astros), Kim Hyesung (Los Angeles Dodgers), Park Dongwon (LG Twins), and Kim Juwon (NC Dinos). Moon Bokyung, who collided with the fence during defense against Japan the previous day, was assigned as designated hitter, while Shay Whitcomb, who played third base in his stead, moved to first base. Kim Doyeong, who had previously played as designated hitter, started at third base.

Things did not go well for Korea from the early stages of the game. In the top of the second inning, with the score tied 0-0, starting pitcher Ryu Hyunjin (Hanwha Eagles) gave up a solo home run to Chang Yu (Fubon), putting Korea behind 0-1. In the bottom of the third inning, leadoff hitter Kim Juwon hit a single to right, but was picked off by opposing starter Kuo Linruiyang (Nippon-Ham Fighters). In the bottom of the fifth inning, with Korea still trailing 0-1, An Hyeonmin drew a walk and Moon Bokyung singled, setting up runners at first and third with no outs. Shay Whitcomb then grounded into a shortstop double play, allowing the tying run to score.

Kim Doyoung of South Korea roars after hitting a two-run go-ahead home run in the 6th inning of the third game of the 2026 WBC Group C round-robin against Taiwan, held at the Tokyo Dome on the 8th. Tokyo=Yonhap News Agency

Reliever Kwak Bin (Doosan Bears), who came in from the fourth inning, allowed a solo home run to Cheng Tsung-Che (Boston Red Sox) in the top of the sixth, making it 1-2. However, in the bottom of the sixth, with one out and a runner on first, Kim Doyeong hit a two-run go-ahead home run over the left field fence off Lin Wei-En (Oakland Athletics), giving Korea its first lead at 3-2.

Following Kwak Bin (3.1 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 3 strikeouts), Dane Dunning (Atlanta Braves) came in with one out and runners on first and second in the top of the seventh with Korea leading 3-2, and ended the inning with a third baseman double play. However, in the top of the eighth, with Korea still ahead 3-2 and a runner on second with one out, Dunning allowed a two-run home run to Stuart Fairchild (Cleveland Guardians), causing Korea to fall behind again.

Fortunately, in the bottom of the eighth with two outs and a runner on first, Kim Doyeong hit a game-tying RBI double to center field, making it 4-4. However, in the top of the tenth, with runners on first and third and no outs, Korea conceded the go-ahead run on a squeeze bunt by Chang Kun-Wei.

Ryu Hyunjin, who took the mound for the first time in 17 years since facing Taiwan in the first round of this tournament in 2009, delivered a strong performance with 3 innings, 3 hits (1 home run), 1 run, and 3 strikeouts, but could not prevent the team's defeat.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.