Dec 20 (Kyodo) - Tokushima Vortis lifted the J-League second-division championship trophy Sunday following a 1-0 loss to second-place Avispa Fukuoka in the final round of the season.
Both teams finished the campaign on 84 points, but Tokushima's maiden title had been a formality thanks to their huge advantage in goal difference, which stood at 12 following the clash at Fukuoka's Best Denki Stadium.
Daisuke Ishizu struck the 16th-minute winner for Fukuoka, who finished the season on a 10-game unbeaten run.
The 30-year-old forward netted from just inside the box, receiving a diagonal pass from Takaki Fukumitsu after the hosts had won back possession in their attacking half.