USA,Thailand,Mexico And Canada Reachi Semi Finals

　　USA, Thailand, Mexico And Canada Reach Semi Finals Of NFL Flag Football World Championship In Beijing, China

　　The Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center (MAR JCC) from Miami and Thailand’s Bangmod Wittaya School remained unbeaten on the second day of the NFL Flag Football World Championship (FFWC) action in Beijing, China, to finish o

n top of their respective groups and earn a bye into the semi finals. 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.

　　Mexico’s Las Aguilas secured a playoff victory over Guangzhou #41 Middle School from China for the right to take on reigning champion USA in the final four, while Tomken Road Middle School of Canada earned the other berth and a meeting with Thailand by beating Italy’s Liceo Scientifico. The final day of action kicks off at 10am at the Xian Nong Tan Stadium in Beijing with the Championship Game scheduled for 3.30pm.

　　Philadelphia Eagles tight end Chad Lewis was among the crowd enjoying the sixth annual tournament and hopes the NFL grassroots program will continue to thrive in China.

　　“I lived in Taiwan for two years during a mission from BYU and couldn’t imagine back then that American football would one day be played here,” said Lewis, who speaks fluent Mandarin. “Flag football is the perfect introduction to the game for China and the people have recognized it as a fun and safe sport for youngsters.”

　　China showed the progress it has made since entering the FFWC for the first time since in 2004 by finishing the Preliminary Round at 2-2 despite losing narrowly 27-26 to Canada and will now meet Italy for fifth place. The Italians staged a recovery from 0-2 down and last place in Group B after Thursday’s games to beat Japan 33-26 and Spain 20-13.

　　Canada, having edged China, was victorious 33-13 over Italy in the playoff game, while Mexico recovered from a 43-26 loss to Thailand to recapture the form that earned a 53-point shutout of Spain by eliminating China 53-8.

　　The story of the day was Thailand. Seventh in Vancouver last year, the Bangmod youngsters remained at the top of Group B with a 4-0 record as Japan was dispatched 60-31 and Mexico humbled 43-26, brining up a total of 209 points scored.

　　USA had conceded only one touchdown on Thursday, but was tied approaching halftime against South Korea before regaining its composure to win 26-6 then Germany was then defeated 52-0. “We were disappointing today,” admitted coach David Fried. “We’ll have to play better than that against Mexico and especially if we play Thailand, who I think is the best team in the tournament.”