Avispa Fukuoka will return to Japan’s top flight for the first time in five years after winning the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League promotion play-off on Sunday.

The Kyushu side - who finished third in this season’s MEIJI YASUDA J2 League - advanced past fourth-place Cerezo Osaka following a 1-1 draw on Sunday at Yanmar Stadium Nagai.

Cerezo took the lead at the hour mark through former Samurai Blue striker Keiji Tamada’s goal, but were undone by poor defending when Hokuto Nakamura scored his equaliser in the 87th minute.

Masami Ihara’s side therefore join Omiya Ardija and Jubilo Iwata in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League next term.