OMIYA -- The battle for promotion to Division One of the J. League was extended to Sunday, the final day of Division Two action, after both second-place Urawa Reds and third-place Oita Trinita won their games Thursday night.
The Reds edged Omiya Ardija 1-0 away in Omiya with Kenji Oshiba's 20th-minute goal.
Oita, meanwhile, downed Shonan Bellmare 2-0 through Takayuki Yoshida and Akira Kaji at Hiratsuka Stadium, keeping its promotion hopes alive.
The Reds could have secured their promotion on Thursday with a win coupled with a Trinita draw.
Urawa now has 80 points to Oita's 78. The Reds can gain promotion on Sunday with a win. But if the Reds draw and Oita wins in 90 minutes, the two teams will be tied on points.
The promotion will then be decided on goal difference. After Thursday's games, Urawa and Oita are tied on goal difference at 41.
Urawa will host Sagan Tosu while Oita will play Omiya at home Sunday.
Before 9,499 at Omiya Park Stadium, the game's sole goal came for Urawa after 20 minutes. Oshiba, starting for the first time since Oct. 1, got a fine cross from left winger Ryuji Michiki up front and fired the winning goal into the net.
Sayonara Santos
SHIMIZU, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Shimizu S-Pulse will not renew the contract of veteran Brazilian midfielder Santos for next season, officials of the J. League first division club said Thursday.