Roasso Kumamoto are headed to J2 next year after securing the J3 title on a dramatic final day of the 2021 MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE season.

Deadlocked 0-0 at halftime with FC Gifu, Roasso struck twice in the second half, with Koki Sakamoto and Toshiki Takahashi both getting on the scoresheet and sending the home fans into dreamland.

The Kumamoto side spent 11 consecutive seasons in the second tier, but since being relegated in 2018 had only finished 5th and 8th in J3. Third time would be the charm, though, as the club's 54 points were good enough for the championship — edging out Iwate Grulla Morioka and Tegevajaro Miyazaki by a single point.

Iwate will join Roasso in the second tier next season.