On September 25, day six of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Japan and Mongolia faced off against each other in a baseball preliminary group match at the Munhak Baseball Stadium. Mongolia was defeated, as most baseball fans and sport critics predicted. They lost the game 21-0, but many spectators were touched as they saw the Mongolian players do their best until the bottom of the final inning.
The game was a lopsided victory for Japan. Each and every Japanese athlete scored at least one run. From the beginning of the game at 12:30 p.m., Japan took the lead. It scored its first two runs during the first inning, and continued its winning streak throughout the second and third innings, scoring four and six runs, respectively. The score differential widened increasingly after that.
Mongolia got its priceless first hit in the fourth inning with one out. Dashzeveg Munkhbat, the second batter, hit the ball off of Japanese pitcher Kato Takayuki's fifth throw and launched the ball into center field. Enthusiastic and loud cheers from the spectators echoed across the stadium. Alas, he did not score.
In the fifth inning, Oyunbaatar Unubold got another hit, the nation’s second and last hit during the game.
The outcome of the game was decided early in the fifth inning, but the game was still an opportunity for the Mongolian players to test their ability and to see their growth potential. In the fourth inning, Kunimoto Takeshi from Japan already made the score 13-0, hitting a home run. It was followed by Ito Ryota's three-base hit and Ishikawa Shun’s home run that produced two more runs, confirming their position with 18 hits.
After the game, Mongolian Manager Chulten Munkhsaikhan said, “Japan and Korea stand high in the Asian baseball scene. We lost, but I think all the Mongolian athletes fought well."
Munkhsaikhan admitted that, "Japan was outstanding at batting and in its defense capability."
He also added that, "I didn’t switch players during the game because I thought it was a good chance to test the capability of our athletes. We compete in a game to win. We will do better and win next time."
As the game ended, athletes from both sides exchanged pats on the back, shook hands and took a group photo. They were united in sport. Winning the game 21-0, Japan recorded a three-peat, becoming the first team from Group A to qualify for the semi-final.
Japan is scheduled to face Taiwan, second in Group B, on September 27.
By Lee Seung-ah
photo: Jeon Han
slee27@korea.kr
The game was a lopsided victory for Japan. Each and every Japanese athlete scored at least one run. From the beginning of the game at 12:30 p.m., Japan took the lead. It scored its first two runs during the first inning, and continued its winning streak throughout the second and third innings, scoring four and six runs, respectively. The score differential widened increasingly after that.
The Mongolian baseball team did its best, fighting until the bottom of the final inning, even though it already knew the outcome of the game.
Dashzeveg Munkhbat, the Mongolian batsman, signals to his coach from first base after he proudly gets his country's first hit in the fourth inning.
Mongolia got its priceless first hit in the fourth inning with one out. Dashzeveg Munkhbat, the second batter, hit the ball off of Japanese pitcher Kato Takayuki's fifth throw and launched the ball into center field. Enthusiastic and loud cheers from the spectators echoed across the stadium. Alas, he did not score.
In the fifth inning, Oyunbaatar Unubold got another hit, the nation’s second and last hit during the game.
The outcome of the game was decided early in the fifth inning, but the game was still an opportunity for the Mongolian players to test their ability and to see their growth potential. In the fourth inning, Kunimoto Takeshi from Japan already made the score 13-0, hitting a home run. It was followed by Ito Ryota's three-base hit and Ishikawa Shun’s home run that produced two more runs, confirming their position with 18 hits.
The Mongolian baseball team discusses its strategy for the next inning on September 25.
After the game, Mongolian Manager Chulten Munkhsaikhan said, “Japan and Korea stand high in the Asian baseball scene. We lost, but I think all the Mongolian athletes fought well."
Munkhsaikhan admitted that, "Japan was outstanding at batting and in its defense capability."
He also added that, "I didn’t switch players during the game because I thought it was a good chance to test the capability of our athletes. We compete in a game to win. We will do better and win next time."
Athletes from Japan, in navy blue, and Mongolia pose for a group photograph after the game.
As the game ended, athletes from both sides exchanged pats on the back, shook hands and took a group photo. They were united in sport. Winning the game 21-0, Japan recorded a three-peat, becoming the first team from Group A to qualify for the semi-final.
Japan is scheduled to face Taiwan, second in Group B, on September 27.
By Lee Seung-ah
photo: Jeon Han
slee27@korea.kr
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