Asian Games baseball team coach promises gold medal

"The strongest point is confidence, and the weak points are yet to be noticed."

Ryu Joong-il, coach of Korea`s national baseball team for this year`s Asian Games, was in full confidence as he entered the Riviera Hotel in southern Seoul on Monday to join the Incheon Asian Games baseball team official press conference. Captain Park Byung-ho (Nexen Heroes) followed and Kim Kwang-hyun (SK Knights) also joined as pitcher representative.

Ryu said, "It is the second time I`m taking role as national baseball team coach after World Baseball Classics last year. I was sorry we did poor last year. This time we will win all five games and grab gold medal." "Injury of Kang Jung-ho (Nexen Heroes) is the biggest hurdle but his conditions show he can still play. We will have to see whether he can recover game sense at the friendly match with LG Twins Thursday."

.

Ryu will decide on the number of game innings for Thursday based on the pitchers` conditions. He said, "We will play at least nine innings if there are many pitchers who can throw the ball and will have shorter innings if not."

Ryu added, "I received questions of who will be captain when I organized the team. Park Byung-ho is attempting his 50th homerun this season and he is the best. I picked him as captain hoping he will spread his confidence to the rest of the players."

Park said, "This is the first time I heard why I was picked as captain. Our players have the highest capability and pride and so I don`t think I will have to do much. I will become the link among players," adding, "Hitting sense has been enhancing since the All Stars game. I want to become a key batter in helping Korea win gold medal. I hope to go beyond being the cleanup hitter for Nexen and become cleanup hitter for Korea."

Kim Kwang-hyun said, "This weighs on my mind but I think it`s better that I experienced it. I have been careful not to be hit even by falling leaves since a month ago. I`m in a good condition this season and will try to live up to my fans` expectations." He had allowed nine runs at the game on last Wednesday, the biggest runs since he joined the pro league.

The team will have its first Asian Games match with Thailand team at the Munhak Baseball Stadium on September 22.