Shonan snatch second J2 promotion place
Shonan Bellmare have snatched the second and final automatic promotion place on offer on a dramatic final day of the regular season in the J. League's second tier.
Needing to beat neighbours Machida Zelvia and hope Kyoto Sanga failed to do the same against champions Ventforet Kofu, the Kanagawa side did their part with a 3-0 win in front of 7,139 fans at Machida Stadium. The result was bad news for Machida, who drop down to the third-tier Japan Football League after finishing bottom of the J2 table.
Meanwhile, Kyoto Sanga could only labour to a scoreless draw against Kofu in front of 12,296 fans at Nishikyogoku Stadium. The result means Kyoto will join Yokohama FC, JEF United and Oita Trinita in a four-team playoff, with the winner joining Kofu and Shonan in the top flight in 2013.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima currently top the standings in J1 with three games of the season still to play.
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