"Friendship, not war" vs. "If you win, please celebrate your birthday" Kim In-sik-Hara, the temperature difference between the two leaders
Jul 22, 2024
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The atmosphere felt quite different. The Korean team gave a lot of meaning to friendship, and the Japanese team nevertheless expressed a willingness to win.
The 「Korea-Japan Dream Players Game」, in which all the legendary stars representing Korea-Japan baseball will appear, will be held at Escon Field in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd.
Head coach Kim In-sik, Lee Jong-beom, and head coach Tatsunori Hara and Tatsunori Inaba attended the official press conference on behalf of Korea before the game.
Coach Kim and Hara, who faced each other for the first time in a long time, shook hands with bright faces and expressed their pleasure. As soon as he arrived in Japan a day before the game, he said, `I'm excited to meet coach Ha-ra.'
No matter how friendly it is, the Korea-Japan match is a Korea-Japan match. I couldn't help but ask how I felt. In fact, head coach Kim emphasized from the training session on the 21st, `Friendship is more important than the meaning of the Korea-Japan match.' Coach Kim said, `When I faced Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), Premier 12, I just thought that I had to win unconditionally. Of course, today's game will also be Ginza. I have a lot of worries, too." This is because South Korea is expected to be underpowered due to its player composition.
"When I first heard it, I thought it was a game that fans from all over the world could pay attention to, not only Korea and Japan," Hara said. I heard that the Korean team trained yesterday, but Japan will train separately and play today. All Japanese players have also retired, but they are willing to work hard if they face South Korea. I hope I can do my best and play a great game"He expressed his determination.
a subtle difference in temperature. South Korea's player representative Lee Jong-beom also emphasized friendship, while Japan's Inaba focused on winning. When asked about his 66th birthday on the day, coach Hara said, "That's personal. Please congratulate me after winning the game,' he said with a smile.
Still, the last one was decorated amicably. Coach Kim said, `I hope the two countries can continue to play like this by showing good players in the past doing their best with rusty skills.'
Coach Hara also said, `In the past, we really risked our lives in the match between Korea and Japan. I think I can play comfortably for the first time today. Please clap for me if I get a good play, and I hope you can laugh it off even if I get a bad play. I hope this kind of game will be held next year and the year after" he said.
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