Jubilo Iwata clinched a dramatic return to the J-League top division Sunday at the expense of local rivals Shimizu S-Pulse, who were in pole position for automatic promotion heading into the final round of the J2 regular season but failed to get the win they needed.
With Machida Zelvia having comfortably sewn up the J2 crown and a top-flight debut, the ultimate day saw a frantic battle for second place and automatic promotion along with it, as well as promotion playoff berths for the teams finishing third to sixth.
Iwata, trailing Shimizu by a point ahead of their last fixture, secured a 2-1 comeback win at Tochigi SC to move up to second on 75 points and leapfrog S-Pulse, who could only salvage a 1-1 draw at Mito Hollyhock to finish fourth on 74.
Midfielder Masaya Matsumoto headed in the 61st-minute winner at Kanseki Stadium Tochigi as Jubilo ensured their return to the top flight after a season-long absence.
"We conceded first, when we needed a win, but didn't fret over it, stuck to our style, and that led to this result," Matsumoto said.
Tokyo Verdy, who started the day level on points with Iwata, won 2-0 at relegated Omiya Ardija but had to settle for third on goal difference.
The four playoff teams will battle for the third and final promotion berth. Verdy will host a semifinal against sixth-place JEF United Chiba, who had already secured a playoff spot before losing 2-1 to visiting V-Varen Nagasaki.
Montedio Yamagata claimed fifth place with a late 2-1 comeback win at home to last season's Emperor's Cup winners Ventforet Kofu, who tumbled out of the playoff frame to eighth place. Yamagata will visit fourth-placed Shimizu in the other playoff semifinal.
