There was an explosion of elation and relief when the clock hit zero on Sunday at National Stadium in Tokyo.
After 10 failed attempts — in games stretching back to 1989 — a Japanese All-Star team finally managed to overcome the Ivy League’s best on the gridiron in the Dream Japan Bowl.
Decades of disappointment at the hands of American opposition finally came to an end in a defensive struggle that ended with a 10-5 victory for the home side.
“I’m part of history for Japan football,” running back Samajie Grant said after the game. “That was really the most important thing for me. I told everybody, ‘the most important game this year is the Dream Bowl.’ The Rice Bowl is for my team. The Dream Bowl is for Japan.”
Japan laid down a marker immediately by scoring on its opening drive and forcing the Ivy League squad to punt on its first two possessions.
A high scoring contest initially seemed on the cards, as Japan mixed up the play calling, generated touches for many of its skill players and moved the ball with ease.
The offense slowed down, but a decision to go for it on fourth down early in the game with the ball at midfield signaled that Japan would take an aggressive approach while refusing to be awed by its NCAA Division 1 opposition.
Inevitably though, given the caliber of the Ivy League team, the tide began to turn, with the visitors asserting their power. Still, Japan refused to bow.
“I dang sure wasn’t going to let them come here and blow us out,” Grant said. “That first play the guy hit me and was like ‘Oh, you don’t want to play.’ I just laughed and was like ‘Ok you don’t know what we got going on out here.’ I’ve been hit way harder than that by Japanese players.”
In addition to Grant’s gritty, battling performance, wideout Jumpei Yoshimoto stood tall in the initial stages of the contest, using his experience to create separation and holding onto the ball in the face of big hits from the Ivy League’s secondary.
It was the home team’s defense that was the star of the day, however. With a front four that constantly put pressure on the opposition, Japan was able to overcome occasional chunk plays by their opponents and get off the field on third down with regularity. The defense stood particularly tall in the red zone.
That a team comprised entirely of top-tier U.S. college players didn’t find the end zone over the course of 60 minutes — managing only a FG and safety — is a testament to just how high the level of football has become in Japan.
It’s just a shame that not many people were there to witness it.
Japan is a force in American football but that fact hasn’t been reflected in strong attendance figures for its various domestic competitions or in international games such as the Dream Japan Bowl.
But while today’s crowd of 6,271 may have felt sparse in such a large stadium, the atmosphere was a festive one. Throughout the game, fans were shown on the big screens at either end of the stadium and on each occasion, those on screen put on a show for the camera to widespread applause and laughter.
Whether downing glasses of beer in one go, kissing the person next to them or dancing, the fans refused to let the drizzly and cold conditions — or a dearth of exciting offense — affect them.
After the game, the Ivy League players interacted with dozens of young fans, posing for pictures, and handing out gloves and other mementos.
The idea that success brings fans has long been a truism in sports and Sunday’s win over an American team is certain to give football in Japan a boost — and lead to bigger crowds in the future.
For now, however, Grant and the rest of Japan’s players are just enjoying the fact that they have made a bit of football history.
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