Japan: Elecom Kobe Finies, Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC looking to get back on track

The Elecom Kobe Finies (3-3) and Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC (2-3) meet Wednesday at MK Taxi Field Expo in Suita, with both X League Premier teams badly needing something to turn their seasons back in the right direction.

The Finies have dropped three straight after a 3-0 start, while Fujifilm Ebina enters after its scheduled game against the Obic Seagulls ended in a 1-0 forfeit.

Bullock settles into Elecom Kobe offense

Xeaiver Bullock will make his third start at quarterback for Elecom Kobe, and his ability to give the offense another dimension with his legs showed up in last week’s 36-15 loss to the defending champion Panasonic Impulse.

Bullock completed 15 of 38 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns while adding 74 yards on 16 carries. He marched the Finies 75 yards in the third quarter before finding Daiki Uchida for a 10-yard touchdown, then connected with Wataru Okuda for a 42-yard score in the fourth.

The problem was getting there without giving the ball away. Bullock threw two interceptions and lost a fumble as Panasonic built a 19-0 halftime lead.

Elecom Kobe brings the league’s fourth-ranked rushing attack into Wednesday’s game, but its passing offense averages 121.8 yards and ranks 10th.

Minerva needs to get offense moving

Fujifilm Ebina hasn’t played since a 33-0 loss to Panasonic, with its following game against Obic canceled after the club refused to take the field amid a dispute over professional-player regulations.

Now the focus returns to football.

The Minerva offense averages 11.2 points per game, while its ground game ranks 10th at 41.8 yards a game.

Against Panasonic, quarterback Tenki Arai connected with Shoei Koyama. for 36 yards and Jo Kondo for 16 on a drive that reached the Impulse 17, but a missed field goal ended the threat. Fujifilm Ebina finished with only 68 total yards and seven on the ground.

Turnovers could swing it

Defense gives both teams a way to change the game.

The Finies have forced 11 turnovers, while Fujifilm Ebina owns the league’s second-ranked pass defense, allowing 140.6 yards per game.

That sets up the key battle Wednesday. Elecom Kobe needs Bullock to protect the football while adding some punch through the air. Fujifilm Ebina needs its offense to give its defense room to work.

For two teams trying to stop their seasons from sliding, Suita offers a chance to hit the reset button.