USA,Mexico And Thailand Unbeaten

　　USA, Mexico And Thailand Unbeaten After Day One of NFL Flag Football World Championship Action in Beijing, China

　　USA, Mexico and Thailand emerged unbeaten from the first day of NFL Flag Football World Championship action in Beijing, China, to top their respective groups. The preliminary round games resume on Friday at 3.30pm and will determine

which four teams advance to the semi finals for the right to play for the world title won by USA’s Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center (MAR JCC) in Vancouver last year.

　　Hosts China posted a 2-1 record on the opening day to remain alongside Canada in joint second place in Group A behind USA (2-0). South Korea (1-2) and Germany (0-3) lie fourth and fifth after their games at the Xian Nong Tan Stadium in Beijing. The NFL is proud to partner with Motorola, Reebok, EA and Gatorade and promote this prestigious tournament, which motivates boys and girls to participate in a fun and safe sport.

　　Group B is led by Mexico and Thailand (both 2-0), who are closely followed by Japan (1-1), while Spain and Italy (both 0-2) hope to revive European fortunes on Friday.

　　USA opened the defense of its title with a convincing 45-point shutout of China after the hosts from Guangzhou #41 Middle School had triumphed 33-12 over South Korea. Thailand came out firing on all cylinders with a 39-13 win over Liceo Scientifico from Italy as Manas Chaisirisampan emerged as the Bangkok Wittaya School’s main offensive threat.

　　Tomken Road Middle School from Canada prevented Germany from generating more than seven points in a 34-7 win thanks to three straight early quarterback tackles by Amy Clifford. Canada’s second game was a tough battle against USA, who triumphed 40-6 as a flurry of touchdowns just before halftime proved decisive. Quarterback Andrew Brodsky hit receiver Evan Grabois for a spectacular touchdown with a pass the full length of the field.

　　MAR JCC head coach David Fried said: "I thought we played well in our first games. Last year we had a great quarterback to help us win and I think this year's quarterback Andrew Brodsky proving he is equally as good. The team is doing everything I ask of them. I can still hardly believe we're playing for a world championship in China.”

　　Mexico’s Las Aguilas were the days top scorers with a 60-31 defeat of Japan and a 52-6 win over Italy as captain Juan Gonzalez emerged as the top scorer. “I’m pleased with the results,” said head coach Ricardo Yanez. We will have to play well to beat Thailand as they look like a strong team in our group. If we win that game I think we will make it to the final.”

　　Kyung-il Middle School, from South Korea and Germany’s Meerbusch Eagles provided the day’s most exciting finish in a heartbreaking 38-32 loss for Germany. Trailing 26-6 at halftime, the Eagles recovered to tie the score, went ahead and were then themselves held at 32-32 before giving up a game-winning touchdown on an interception on the last play of the game.

　　NFL FFWC Notes-09/continued…

　　Germany then lost again in the dying seconds to China 20-14 as the game looked to be heading for a tie. Canada brushed aside Korea 47-6 as Javion Kwayan scored on a spectacular interception return and an equally impressive run down the right sideline.

　　Rushers Football Club Junior from Japan recovered from its loss to Mexico with a narrow 14-7 win against Spain’s Pere Vives Vich to sit in third place in Group B going into the second day of action.

　　USA can clinch a bye into the semi finals with victory over Korea in the first of the remaining eight preliminary rounds, which kick off at 3.30pm on Thursday. Final and consolation round action begins on Saturday at 10am.

　　Editor’s note: Print quality photographs of the teams visiting The Great Wall of China and in FFWC action are available by return email. Media can follow each team’s every move by logging onto the website www.NFLYouthFootball.com, which will be updated daily from Beijing.