The Korean national team defeated Chinese Taipei 5-2 in Saturday’s Asian Olympic Qualifier match at Taichung’s International Continental Stadium behind a strong combined effort from starter Ryu Hyun-jin and four strong innings of relief from Park Chan-ho, Jeong Wong-suk, and Cheong Dae-Hyun Korea’s pitching stymied Taiwan’s bats, leaving them without an extra base hit, while their offense hammered away at Taiwan’s talented roster with balanced combination of power and speed, hitting two home runs and stealing three bases.

Taiwan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a first inning RBI single from DH Chen Chin-Feng, but fell behind for good when Korean OF Lee Jeong-wook crushed a 3-run home run in the top of the fifth. The blast to right a no doubter that Lee admired from home plate–gave the Koreans all the offense they needed, with SS Park Jin-man Park adding a solo shot of his own in the 7th inning.

The stocky, left-handed Ryu pitched?five effective innings to earn the win for the Koreans, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out?five and He used his curveball as an effective out pitch throughout the game, especially against right handed batters who chased it low and away throughout the game.

Former MLB star Park Chan-ho and Jeong Wong-suk held the lead for Ryu, with sidearmer Cheong Dae-hyun striking out both batters he faced in the 9th to pick up the save. Park struck out?four in?three scoreless innings, looking more like the Park of yesteryear than the pitcher who pitched himself out of the Houston Astros minor league system.

Taiwanese starter Lin En Yu struck out 10 in five innings, keeping Korea’s hitters off-balance through the first four frames. His belt-high fastball up in the zone to Lee in the fifth his only real mistake of the game spoiled an otherwise highly effective game for the Seibu Lions starter.

Taiwan struggled defensively throughout the afternoon, with 2B Lin Chi Sheng and SS Hu Chin Lung turning in sloppy efforts in the midfield. Taiwanese Catcher Kao Chih-Kang allowed all three stolen bases, one to Jin Young Lee, who reached base three times.

Korea will face Japan Sunday in what is being billed as the battle of the tournaments two strongest teams. Japan easily dispatched with the Filipino national team 10-0 in the evening game.