Football Canada staff
GRAZ, Austria — Canada is advancing to the Gold Medal game, following a 31-27 win over Japan at the 2011 IFAF Senior World Championships.
They will take on Team USA in the final.
A classic clash at the UPC Arena in Graz saw the teams match each other drive for drive until virtually the last play of the first half and while Canada led 17-14 at the interval, Japan did not put their noses in front until the third quarter.
“This was an amazing football game and we got the glory today,” said Canada head coach Larry Haylor.
Running back and Canada MVP David Stevens, who rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, added: “We were lucky to come out with a victory. We’re tired after three games in only a few days, but we have good depth and we’re confident right now.”
Japan missed out on a berth in the Gold Medal Game for the first time since the competition began, having been crowned champions in 1999 and 2003 they lost to USA in the final in 2007. They will now take on Mexico for Bronze in Vienna on Friday.
“I am very proud of my players and they did a good job,” said Japan head coach Kiyoyuki Mori. “But at the same time we are very disappointed not to be in the final.”
Both teams scored on their opening possession. Running back Matt Walter had three attempts to score on the ground but failed as the Japanese defence held. Canada then gambled on fourth down and a two-yard pass from quarterback Mike Faulds eventually landed in the hands of a diving Michel-Pierre Pontbriand in the end zone, giving Canada a lead with 5.38 remaining in the first quarter.
Stevens ran off tackle on a four-yard run to the right side for six more points and a 14-7 lead with 1.22 left to play in the half. But Japan replied. A 15-yard Tetsuo Takata pass to Takuya Furutani to level the score.
Canada worked the clock well to set up Lirim Hajrullahu for a 32-yard field goal to close the half and lead 17-14 at the interval.
Japan moved downfield to open the second half, and a superb diving catch by Ken Shimizu moved the ball to the Canada 26-yard line. Japan then lined up in the wildcat formation and ran a reverse to put the ball back in the hands of Takata and his pass found Furutani at the 11.
Japan settled for a 23-yard Daisuki Aoki field goal to tie the game for the third time at 17-17.
Defensive back Koki Kato produced his third interception of the tournament and that led to another Aoki field goal, this time from 29 yards, and gave Japan its first lead of the game. But Matt Walter responded with a three-yard rushing touchdown as Canada reclaimed the lead 24-20.
Another Japan touchdown moved them ahead again, this time by a 27-24 margin.
Canada replied immediately as Faulds was forced out of the pocket but hit Stevens on a stunning 72-yard connection. Canada then scored what proved to be the winning touchdown as Walter broke the plain with 3.31 remaining.
“I just tried to get open down the sideline and the quarterback did a good job of looking up and seeing me,” explained Stevens. “And I was lucky enough to catch the ball and then instinct just kicked in and I ran hard almost getting to the endzone. But looking at it now it’s probably a good thing I didn’t make it in, because we used more of the clock.”
The Canadian defence held firm as Japan went for glory on fourth down but a pass bounced off the hands of Ogawa, then on the game’s final play, Julien Hamel intercepted to close the victory.
