Kwansei Gakuin Fighters v. Nihon Phoenix
On Sunday, December 14th Japan’s College American Football championship, the 69th Koshien Bowl, will take place at Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Hyogo Prefecture), Toyko, Japan.
The game begins Sunday at 2 p.m. local Japan time (GMT +9), that is 5/6 a.m. in GMT/CET in Europe, and 12 a.m. midnight EST Saturday in U.S.
The LIVE stream of the game below the preview!
Koshien Bowl LXIX
Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters are looking to claim a 4th consectutive title when they face the rival Nihon University Phoenix.
A little background on the Koshien Bowl.
From the 1949 season until 2014 season, the title game is held as the final game of Japan University American Football Championship. The game is held between 2 universities from East Japan (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto) and West Japan (Tokai, Hokuriku, Kansai, Chushikoku, Kyushu). The winners of the East Japan Kanto Collegiate Football Association (KCFA) and Kansai Collegiate American Football Association (KCAFA) meet in the Koshien Bowl.
Today’s matchup is between tradition Japanese college football powers. The Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters have won the most titles with 25 (4 shared). Nihon University Phoenix is second with 20 titles (2 shared).
The winner of the Koshien Bowl will be crowned college national champions, and will advance to face the Japanese professional X-League champions, which is determined in the Japan X Bowl shortly after the Koshien Bowl. The X-League consists of teams owned or sponsored by companies.
Now let’s learn a little about the teams!
Nihon Phoenix Offense v. KG Fighters Defense
KG Fighters QB Saito
Nihon brings to the game second year starting QB Takahashi who leads the Phoenix’s strong passing attack. Takahashi main targets are WRs Iwamatsu and Nishimura. KCFA MVP Iwamatsu led the East Japanese conference with 37 catches for 614 yards and 6 TDs, and right behind him was Nishimura with 32 catches for 526 yards and 4 TDs.
Looking to stop Takahashi and his WRS are the Kwansei Gakuin defense, who traditionally have a strong defensive backfield. FS Kuniyoshi, CB Tanaka, freshmen CB Ogura, and S Thailand Koike will have the pressure on them to stopping the Phoenix’s passing attack.
KG Fighters Offense v. Nihon Phoenix Defense
Nihon Phoenix’s DE Miyata
The Kwansei Gakuin offense is led by second year starter QB Saito. Saito has gone 67-113 for 856 yards with 6 TDs 6 INTs in 2014. Although not as strong as his numbers last season, he is a leader on the field and expect him to step up big in the electrifying Koshien Bowl atmosphere.
Saito will have to compete against the Kanto league’s #1 defense. Captain DE Miyata has had an amazing 2014 season and leads the Phoenix defensive.
This is sure to be another epic matchup between to of Japan’s greatest university teams.
Check out the LIVE STREAM below
LIVE STREAM – Koshien Bowl LXIX
Nihon University Phoenix v. Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters
2 p.m. local (GST+9), 5 a.m. (GST/CET)
