IFAF Asia: Japan dominates Philippines on way to 2015 IFAF berth (Full Gamefilm Link!)

Japan rolls 86-0 over Philippines!

Photos by John Gunning

Japan -v- Philippines-6The IFAF Asia Qualification rounds are complete with the Japan national team team rolling over the the newcomer team from the Philippines 86-0 at Amino Vital Field in  Tokyo, Japan the past Saturday.

See below a few excerpts via www.japantimes.co.jp by Hiroshi Ikezawa

The Japanese offense gained 356 yards and scored nine touchdowns, while the defense held the Philippines to only one first down and scored on a safety, a fumble recovery and an interception return. For the special teams unit, Tomatsu returned a punt 36 yards for a touchdown.

“We are happy to qualify for the world championship,” Japan captain Masayoshi Tsukada said. “We all want to be the world’s No. 1. But we need to improve to achieve that goal.” This was the first time for the Philippines to organize a national team and play an international game.

“Coming here and playing as a team is a big challenge itself,” head coach William Yeh said. “(Football) is a new program for us and we don’t get a lot of support from our country right now, something I hope will change over time. We compete as a team and this was the most important thing today.”

Four countries, Japan, Korea, Kuwait and the Philippines have competed in the Asian Qualification Games in 2014. The winners, Japan and South Korea, will represent Asia in the 2015 IFAF World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden in July 2015. Twelve countries are participating in the IFAF Championships, the USA (defending champion), Sweden (host), three more from Europe, three from Americas, Japan and South Korea from Asia, one from Oceania and one from Africa.

Japan -v- Philippines-28

Photos by John Gunning

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John McKeon is a former professional and collegiate American Football player and coach now living and working in New York. His goal is to spread news, information, and opinion on the global growth of the sport he loves.