TAICHUNG, Taiwan (Yonhap News) ― Taiwan, one of South Korea’s opponents in the first round at the upcoming World Baseball Classic, appears quite vulnerable just days before the start of the tournament, a former South Korean national team manager said Thursday.
Kim Kyung-moon, currently the manager of the Korea Baseball Organization club NC Dinos, said South Korea should have little trouble getting past Taiwan when the two countries clash next Tuesday.
“I think Taiwan is lacking organization as a team,” Kim observed. “I don’t think their hitters have found their groove yet. If Korean pitchers perform the way they’re capable of, I believe they can be successful (against Taiwan).”
Kim’s Dinos, which will join the KBO as an expansion team this season, beat Taiwan in a practice match Wednesday 5-2. The Taiwanese got their revenge with a 2-1 win Thursday, despite getting just three hits.