The basics about the NFL Global Junior Championship tournament are explained on the page by the same name across the top of the blog. 2001 marked Canada's second year of participation. In 2000, they were one of four teams involved. Canada surprised Team USA 9-3, then played (and defeated) the European entry 7-6 for the gold medal.
Team Canada returned to the States defend its crown. As usual, the game took place in the same city that hosted the Superbowl that year and was included as part of the festivities. Canada began its title-defense with the game against Japan described below.
...Japan made gradual progress on the ground on its first drive, but was forced to punt and Canada marched 75 yards on 12 plays to open the scoring, though in an early twist Japan blocked the extra point attempt and returned the ball for an immediate two-point reply.The article was originally posted on the NFL Europe website.
The running game of both teams dominated the first quarter, Canadian quarterback Stephan Larosiliere passing just once to Alexis Bwenge for 13 yards, while Greg Lund and Bwenge did the work on the ground before Larosiliere powered over himself from two yards out for a touchdown.
Japanese cornerback Kazuhiro Yamada picked up the blocked PAT and raced almost the length of the field untouched to the endzone to reduce the deficit to four points.
Japanese running back Tomohiro Chizawa almost broke free on the ensuing kickoff and put his team in good field position at the halfway mark, but on first down quarterback Shinji Yamaki was intercepted by Jordon Johnston to put Canada back on the offensive.
The running game again dominated, but Canada was stopped at the Japanese three-yard line when they chose to run on fourth and two rather than kick a field goal, then both sides were forced to punt away their next possessions of the second quarter.
Canadian defensive lineman Philippe Audet sacked Japanese passer Daisuke Yaginuma, playing under the rule that a second quarterback must play the second quarter, then Yasushi Namikawa fumbled a punt to give Canada the ball 12 yards from the endzone.
Takayuki Nakamura should have picked off Jonathan Williams and had an open field in front of him, but dropped the possible interception, then Japan held Canada and forced them to settle for a field goal attempt which flew wide left.
...
A similar opening to the second half saw the running game again preferred by both teams and when Larosiliere went to the air on fourth and long, wide receiver Daniel Zephir was unable to hold on. Japan completed a perfect pass from Shinji Yamaki to Taro Yoshino in open field, but the receiver lost his footing and could not take advantage of a clear run between him and a go-ahead touchdown.
Canada stifled the Japanese enthusiasm, then with the aid of a crucial pass interference penalty and a 43 yard run by quarterback Larosiliere, marched 80 yards downfield to the one-yard mark where a Bwenge run increased the lead to 13-2 after Larosiliere added the extra point.
Yamaki came out passing in reply but was unable to connect as Japan went three and out, then Canada gained the upper hand as despite being sacked by linebacker Hiroyuki Shino, Larosiliere led his team into the red zone.
Williams came in to orchestrate the offense as Larosiliere was injured on a 15-yard run that set up first and goal, but returned to nail a PAT after Williams had scrambled to find a wide open Samuel Champagne for a conclusive 20-2 lead.
Japan struck back when Yamaki hit Fumihiko Ogata for a 28-yard touchdown to trail 20-8 after the two-point attempt failed, but Canada were in no mood to relinquish their lead. The Canadians recovered an onside kick with just over four minutes remaining in the game and Duane John danced 31 yards into the endzone to bring up the final score of 27-8.
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