Japan’s X League Premier Fall Series rolls into second round after opening-week shakeup

The X League Premier moves into the second round of its Fall Series with five games from September 11-16 after Japan’s top division returned from its summer break with a weekend that featured a shutout, two convincing wins and another narrow escape by the unbeaten OBIC Seagulls (5-0).

OBIC remained perfect by edging the ELECOM Kobe Finies 24-21, while the Fujitsu Frontiers and All Mitsubishi Lions produced the biggest offensive performances of the round.

Opening round reshapes the field

The defending champion Panasonic Impulse (3-2) came out of the break in dominant fashion, shutting out the Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC (2-2) 33-0.

The All Mitsubishi Lions (2-2) also made a statement, rolling past the SEKISUI Challengers (0-4-1) 48-21.

On Sunday, the Nojima Sagamihara Rise (2-2-1) continued their climb by beating the OrientalBio Silver Star (0-4) 31-7.

OBIC faced a much tougher afternoon. The Seagulls entered the fall as the league’s only unbeaten team and survived the ELECOM Kobe Finies (3-2) 24-21 to push their winning streak to five games.

The Fujitsu Frontiers (4-1) also returned with authority, beating the IBM BIG BLUE (2-2) 41-19 and bouncing back from their loss to OBIC before the summer break.

Friday, September 11

Panasonic Impulse vs. ELECOM Kobe Finies

The Panasonic Impulse (3-2) have now won three straight after opening the season 0-2 and will try to keep that surge going against the ELECOM Kobe Finies (3-2).

Kobe came within three points of handing OBIC its first loss and now gets another difficult assignment against the defending champions.

Saturday, September 12

IBM BIG BLUE vs. All Mitsubishi Lions

The IBM BIG BLUE (2-2) need to regroup after surrendering 41 points to the Frontiers, while the All Mitsubishi Lions (2-2) arrive with momentum after putting 48 on the Challengers.

Both teams enter the matchup at .500, adding some early weight to a game between clubs trying to establish themselves in the Fall Series.

Sunday, September 13

Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC vs. OBIC Seagulls

The Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC (2-2) face perhaps the toughest possible assignment after their 33-0 loss to Panasonic.

Waiting for them are the OBIC Seagulls (5-0), who have survived every challenge so far and remain the only unbeaten team in the league.

Fujitsu Frontiers vs. SEKISUI Challengers

The Fujitsu Frontiers (4-1) wasted little time getting back on track, putting up 41 points against IBM in their Fall Series opener.

The SEKISUI Challengers (0-4-1) are still looking for their first win after giving up 48 points to the Lions and now run straight into another of the league’s leading contenders.

Wednesday, September 16

Nojima Sagamihara Rise vs. OrientalBio Silver Star

The Nojima Sagamihara Rise (2-2-1) and OrientalBio Silver Star (0-4) meet again just over two weeks after Nojima ran away with a 31-7 victory in their Fall Series opener.

The Rise have now won two straight after going winless through their first three games, while OrientalBio will get an immediate opportunity to turn the tables and pick up its first victory of the season.