Tokushima Vortis could have been relegated on Matchday 37, with a loss to Shonan Bellmare and any point by Shimizu S-Pulse clinching their spot in the second division next season, but they ensured the battle would go to the final day of the campaign by beating Bellmare, 1-0.

The result sends the three teams down to the wire, all fighting to avoid one relegation place.

Shonan hoped they could clinch safety against Vortis, which they needed just a draw to do, but they struggled to create much. Meanwhile, Vortis was playing with the desperation one would expect from a team that had to win.

They were rewarded in the 66th minute when a beautiful set play from a corner kick saw a driven ball hit to the top of the box, where Taisei Miyashiro was making a run from deep. He smashed the ball on the full volley and while his shot was saved, Takeru Kishimoto was standing right in front of the goal to knock the rebound in.

Shonan began to push for an equalizer after that, but were ultimately unable to find one, giving all three points and a chance for survival to Tokushima.

The Vortis win puts them and Bellmare level on 36 points with one match to play, but Shonan are well ahead on goal difference. Shimizu S-Pulse are also in the relegation fight, having beaten Urawa Reds with a stoppage time strike to move to 39 points, but still in danger of going down if they lose next weekend and both Vortis and Shonan win.

Vortis will host Sanfrecce Hiroshima on the season’s final day, while Bellmare visit Gamba Osaka and S-Pulse welcome Cerezo Osaka to Shizuoka. Those three matches will determine which two teams remain top-flight clubs and play at the highest level in Japanese football, and which team suffers the disappointment of relegation.