Japan: Tokyo Gas defense makes one touchdown stand up against Fujifilm Minerva AFC
The Tokyo Gas Creators didn’t need much offense Saturday. They just needed one drive — and a defense capable of making it count.
The Creators scored the game’s only touchdown in the third quarter and survived a final threat from Fujifilm Minerva AFC to grind out a 7-3 X League Premier victory at Ebina Sports Park Athletics Stadium in Ebina, Kanagawa.
It wasn’t pretty. Fujifilm outgained Tokyo Gas 280-188, ran 28 more offensive plays and controlled the ball for more than 28 minutes. None of it translated into a touchdown.
Turnovers rule the first half
The opening two quarters became a battle of missed opportunities.
Tokyo Gas intercepted Jameson Wang on Fujifilm’s opening possession but later lost two fumbles. Wang was picked off again late in the half, yet Fujifilm still went to the break ahead 3-0 after Kinoshin Adachi drilled a 52-yard field goal.
Fujifilm Minerva AFC QB Jameson Wang (center) fires a pass under pressure from the Tokyo Gas Creators defense. Photo: ©X LEAGUE
Creators finally break through
Trailing 3-0, Tokyo Gas finally found the play it needed in the third quarter.
Yujin Taniguchi directed a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive, finishing it with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Koki Ono for a 7-3 lead.
Taniguchi completed 13 of 18 passes for 113 yards and the touchdown, while Ryotaro Hoshino led the Creators on the ground with 40 yards on nine carries.
Defense slams the door
The rest belonged to the Tokyo Gas defense.
Wang completed 22 of 40 passes for 203 yards but was intercepted twice and sacked twice. Michael Lufile and Yukio Tomita recorded the interceptions, with Lufile also leading the Creators with nine combined tackles.
Still, Fujifilm had one final shot. Starting at its own 10 with 1:50 remaining, the offense drove deep into Tokyo Gas territory before the Creators stopped Wang on fourth down with five seconds left.
One touchdown. Two interceptions. Seven points.
For Tokyo Gas, that was enough.
