[Photo] Son Ju-yeong takes mound in 5th inning against Japan

On the 7th at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, the Group C pool-play game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) between Korea and Japan was held.

Korea started submarine pitcher Ko Young-pyo, while Japan started left-hander Kikuchi Yusei. Korea, which reached the semifinals in 2006 and finished runner-up in 2009 at the WBC, has since failed to advance past the first round in three consecutive tournaments (2013, 2017, 2023). In this tournament, the team is aiming to return to the quarterfinal knockout stage. In the first game against the Czech Republic on the 5th, Korea opened with a strong 11-4 win.

In the bottom of the fifth, Korea's Son Ju-yeong is pitching valiantly. Mar. 7, 2026

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