YOKOHAMA -- Yokohama FC, the team formed by former Yokohama Flugels fans, beat Kokushikan University 5-3 Sunday to secure a top-two finish in the Japan Football League and is now in line for promotion to the J. League's second division.
Yokohama FC must now meet the requirements laid down by the J. League -- covering financial sources and stadium facilities -- to gain promotion.
Yokohama forward Kosaku Masuda struck two goals and substitute forward Kenji Arima struck his league-leading 18th to highlight the home team's win at Yokohama's Mitsuzawa Stadium.
With four matches remaining, Yokohama FC improved to 51 points with a 17-1-0 record. Honda lies second on 40 points with JATCO TT third on 35.
Yokohama FC can clinch the league title Oct. 22 with a win over Shizuoka Sangyo University in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture.
"It's wonderful for us to be guaranteed of a second-place finish," Yokohama FC manager Pierre Littbarski said. "We have worked under difficult circumstances to achieve our goal on the field, so I'm very happy.
Littbarski has guided the team since its launch two years ago. Yokohama FC won the Japan Football League title last year but was not eligible for promotion.
The Flugels were disbanded and merged with the Yokohama Marinos two years ago due to financial reasons.