The pro baseball team Samsung Lions left Tuesday for Japan to take part in the 2006 Konami Cup Asia Series, which features the pro champions of Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan.

In a press conference at Gimpo Airport, Samsung manager Sun Dong-yeol and players pledged to win the championship this year. In last year's series, the team took second after a defeat by Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines.

Korea’s Samsung Lions, Japan’s Nippon Ham Fighters, Taiwan’s La New Bears and China’s all-star team will participate in the second Asian series.