Avispa Fukuoka defeated V-Varen Nagasaki 1-0 in the semifinals of the J1 promotion playoffs on Sunday, booking a meeting with Cerezo Osaka in the final for a place in the top flight next season.

Striker Wellington scored the only goal of the game for Fukuoka, which finished third in J2 and only needed to avoid a defeat at home against sixth-placed Kyushu neighbor Nagasaki in a one-off semifinal at Level-5 Stadium.

"We prepared well as a team, and I'm glad to show the supporters a good game," said Wellington. "We have to keep our style in the final, we pressed well and didn't let them (Nagasaki) play today."