South Korea made its intentions clear at the VI World Baseball Classic today, defeating the Czech Republic by a commanding score of 11-4 at the Tokyo Dome.

The South Koreans seized control of the game from the very first inning when Bo-kyung Moon connected for a grand slam, putting his team comfortably ahead 4-0.

The lead continued to grow with another run in the second inning and one more in the third, and it nearly doubled in the fifth when Shay Whitcomb hit a two-run home run. Earlier in that same inning, the Czech Republic had scored three runs thanks to a home run by Terrin Vavra with two men on base.

The Asians added two more runs in the seventh inning and delivered the final blow in the eighth, this time with a solo home run by Jahmai Jones. In their final at-bat, the Czechs combined a walk to Matous Bubenik, a hit by William Escala, and a sacrifice fly by Jan Pospisil to score their fourth and final run.

The game featured an extensive parade of pitchers, with seven South Korean hurlers and six from their European opponent taking the mound. Ultimately, the victory went to Hyeong-jun So, while Daniel Padysak was charged with the loss.

South Korea recorded 11 hits and committed no errors, while the Czech Republic totaled nine hits and one solitary error.

These two teams, members of Group C, will return to the field next Saturday, March 7. The Czechs will face Chinese Taipei, while South Korea will take on the formidable host nation, Japan.

In the first game of the day, Australia earned the applause at the Tokyo Dome by defeating Chinese Taipei with a score of 3-0 in a challenge where left-hander Travis Bazzana shone, hitting the game's only home run.

In the continuation of the tournament here, Australia will face the Czech Republic tomorrow, while Chinese Taipei will face none other than Japan's Samurai team, which dreams of securing its fourth title in the World Baseball Classic this year.