Daisuke Aoki kicked a 19-yard field goal with 1:02 remaining as the Lixil Deers came from a two-touchdown deficit to beat the All Mitsubishi Lions 31-28 on Monday night in the X League's season opener.
The Deers, formerly owned by Kajima Corp. but now a club team sponsored by Lixil Corp., struggled to stop the Lions' run offense in the first half, then had a hard time against their passing attack in the second half.
"Our defense, especially defensive line tried to do too much early in the game," Lixil head coach Kiyoyuki Mori said. "Our coverage or pass rush didn't work well."