2nd TD pass of the day!! Germany QB #12 Ulrich threw a 11-yard scoring strike to wide receiver #8 Marcel Duft (C)JAFA/ Andrew Mc Govern

Behind a three-touchdown performance by Joachim Ullrich and a time-consuming running attack, Germany got off to a good start in the third IFAF World Championship by notching a 32-2 triumph over Korea on Sunday, July 8, at Kawasaki Stadium in Japan.

Germany set the rhythm early in the game to score 19 unanswered points before the halftime. In the first possession of the game, Ullrich went 5 of 5 before hitting wide receiver Marc Biedenkapp with a 15-yard touchdown pass with 3:35 into the game.

Germany widened the lead four minutes later as Ulrich threw a 11-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Marcel Duft, who was running on a slant route to the end zone.

Korea, then, had a chance to rally back when defensive lineman Kim Yong Hee recovered a fumble by Ullrich at Korea’s 12-yard line early in the second quarter. After three unsuccessful plays, however, Korea was forced to punt and Germany blocked the punt for a safety, making the score 16-0.

Germany's running attack powered Team Korea's Defense. Germany RB #21 Geiger got 11 carries for 130yds. (C)JAFA/ Andrew Mc Govern

``We couldn’t stop their run and that was crucial,’’ Korea head coach Katsuji Ibaraki said. ``As expected their and offensive and defensive line were powerful. But their backs and receivers were more physical than we expected. We allowed them extra yardages after first contact. You have to stop on the first contact when you play the bigger guys.’’
In the final possession of the first half, Germany ran out 3:45 off the clock before a successful field goal that extended the lead to 19-0.

The quarter belonged to Korea, which started the second half with Kim Jong Hyo’s 66-yard kickoff return. Korea failed to connect the return to a score, but forced a punt to Germany in the next possession.

When Germany set for its first punt of the game, the snap sailed too high over punter Kim Soo Min and Kim didn’t have any options other than kicking the ball out of bounds, giving up two points to Korea.

Cheered up by the enthusiastic fans in the stands, Korea showed good performances on defense and special teams. Korea defense blanked Germany in the third quarter.

Germany, however, took the momentum back with the ground attack. The powerful running attack was too much for the tired Korean players, who had several players go down with injuries in the game.

 Ullrich threw his third scoring pass to Biedenkapp with 9:13 remaining and Washington rushed 23 yards for a score with 3:28 to play, capping Germany’s attack.

Ullrich was 13 of 19 for 165 yards and threw an interception. Washington rushed for 107 yards and touchdown on 12 carries and Geiger ran 130 yards on 11 carries.

German defense allowed Korea only two first downs and 25 total yards on offense.

The next opponent fort both Korea and Germany is the United States. Korea plays the U.S. on Tuesday, two days earlier than Germany..

``It is a pleasure for us as German national team to play the U.S. national team for the first time,’’ Germany defensive coordinator Walter Rohfing said of the upcoming match-up with the U.S. ``We lost our focus today and made some errors after the first quarter. We have work on it. You cannot make such errors when playing the U.S. ‘’