Daisuke Ikezaki put on a stunning display to dash British hopes, as David Ironmonger reports
Japan Steamrollered Team GB 55-48 to end Team GB’s ambition of progressing to the semi-finals of the World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge.
Japan set up a clash against Canada in the semi-final leaving Team GB to wait for the result of other matches to see who they will meet in the playoffs.
Japan started the first quarter on the front foot as they showed their full strength from the first whistle as Daisuke Ikezaki tipped both James Roberts and Ayaz Bhuta with some violent hits.
Despite Japan’s strong start, it was GB who had multiple early opportunities to take a big lead. Several turnovers in a three-minute spell saw them take an 8-6 lead before extending it to 10-7.
Japan fought back with a vengeance, forcing their own turnovers to equal the game 12-12 before stealing one last point as the quarter expired.
Aggression
The second quarter saw more thunderous hits by Ikezaki on Bhuta. The aggression was reaching sensational levels as both teams showed the importance of the game.
However, it was Japan who took the initiative, this time opening up a three-point lead, while GB could not find a way over the try line.
Eventually, Roberts was able to kick start his own scoring tally dragging GB to 26-28 down at the half.
Ikezaji scored try after try racking up his 15th by the end of the third quarter, as GB slowly slipped out of contention, undermined by a lack of ideas.
Roberts and Walker kept scoring when they could, but turnovers were impossible to find as Japan had a four-point lead.
More mistakes crept in during the fourth quarter for Team GB as Japan continued to force turnovers and assumed complete control, establishing an eight-point advantage.
Team GB just could not stop Ikezaki, as he helped himself to 25 tries. Japan never looked like they’d give up the lead once they took a full grasp of proceedings.