American Football League of China Championships This Weekend

This weekend the Shanghai Nighthawks face the Shanghai Titans in the championship final of the American Football League of China. The 12 team top league in China – which was born only three years ago – is completing its most successful season yet and the sport is growing in leaps and bounds. Read an article in AFI on the ALFC here.

In the 12 team, three division league, the Nighthawks defeated the Hong Kong Cobras 20-13  in one semifinal held on November 29 while the Titans beat the Chongqing Dockers in the other 38-25.

The Titans and Nighthawks have faced each other twice this year. In league play in September the Titans eked out a 19-12 victory in a tough, very physical contest. They led 7-6 at halftime and managed to score the final touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the game. They lost 26-6 to the Nighthawks earlier in the year.

Kevin Coleman, Head Coach of the Titans:

“I expect the championship game to come down to mistakes and turnovers as it does in most championship football games. The Nighthawks are a very good football team. I lost my starting tailback/middle linebacker and his back up as well in that last game. But the rest of the team is ready to pick up the slack. As you can imagine, we are having to move a lot of people around to try and plug these holes. I hope we will be able to make the championship game close and competitive.”

The Titans will also play without their starting fullback.

 

Look for a full recap next week. Special thanks to Ben O’Neill of the Hong Kong Cobras and Coach Kevin Coleman.