Douglas headed in the 86th-minute winner as Vissel Kobe claimed a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Avispa Fukuoka in the J. League top flight on Saturday, retaining control of the battle for a final top-three spot.
Left back Ryo Hatsuse's cross found the Brazilian at the far post at Noevir Stadium, where the forward soared high to meet it and scored off the post to spark wild celebrations by the home team and fans.
The win took Vissel to 60 points as it seeks automatic qualification for next season's Asian Champions League, three ahead of their next league opponent Nagoya Grampus, the only Japanese side left in the continental competition this year.