Japan: Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC clinches first ever X1 Super victory with disciplined showing
The Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC (1-1) earned their inaugural X1 Super win, defeating Oriental Bio Silver Star (0-2) 29-13 behind kicker Ikuya Ohno’s flawless five-field-goal performance and QB Chevan Cordeiro’s dual rushing touchdowns.
Ohno’s precision sets early tone
Ohno converted kicks of 47, 22, 33, 29, and 45 yards, accounting for 15 of Fujifilm’s first 16 points. His first-half consistency (three FGs) offset Cordeiro’s passing struggles (7/19, 117 yards), while steady rushing (Cordeiro: 15 carries, 54 yards, 2 TDs; Derek Akira Williams: 63 yards) sustained drives.
Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC QB Chevan Cordeiro ©X LEAGUE
Cordeiro’s legs ice the game
Leading 19-10 in the fourth quarter, Cordeiro sealed the win with a 19-yard TD dash, capping a 7-play, 54-yard drive. His first-half 8-yard score and Fujifilm’s 156 rushing yards overwhelmed Oriental Bio’s defense, which allowed 4.3 yards per carry.
Oriental Bio’s fleeting rally falls short
QB Donovan Isom (6/17, 58 yards, 1 TD) connected with WR Takamasa Hasumi for a 15-yard second-quarter score, and kicker Mitsuri Umegaki added two FGs (49, 35 yards). RB Yusuke Ishikawa’s 50-yard burst (55 total rushing yards) sparked hope, but Oriental Bio stalled in the red zone twice, settling for field goals.
Oriental Bio Silver Star QB Donovan Isom ©X LEAGUE
Defense clamps down late
Fujifilm held Oriental Bio to 116 total yards rushing (206 yards of offense) and 3-of-12 third-down conversions. DL pressure forced Isom into 11 incompletions, while LB rotations contained RBs Yusuke Ishikawa (55 yards) and Atsuya Miyashita (26 yards). Ohno’s fifth FG (45 yards) and a fourth-quarter defensive stand extinguished the comeback.
Special teams dominance
Ohno’s 176 total kicking yards and 5/5 FG accuracy contrasted with Oriental Bio’s red-zone inefficiency. Fujifilm’s 29 points marked their highest output since promotion, signaling growth in X1 Super play.
The win injects momentum into Fujifilm’s campaign, while Oriental Bio remains winless with critical red-zone fixes needed.
Source: XLeague.
