League Play-Off

Ashby de la Zouch
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Sagrada Esperança's Luís Areosa started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. When Teodoro Areosa fell near the penalty area in the 4th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sagrada Esperança's protests and gave Teodoro Areosa a yellow card for diving instead. In the 4th match minute, Sagrada Esperança was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Teodoro Areosa to maneuver through the defense. Sagrada Esperança's David Akwa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Henrique Jacinto in the 7th minute of play. 8 minutes into the match, Sagrada Esperança's goal looked a bit too open when Henrique Jacinto came free, but David Akwa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Henrique Jacinto fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without David Akwa having to interfere. Fábio Galão showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luís Areosa in the 13th minute of the match. 19 minutes into the match, Huambo Futebol Clube's goal looked a bit too open when Luís Areosa came free, but Fábio Galão reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Hélio Ermida during the 21st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 22nd minute, Hélio Ermida hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The audience thought a goal was coming when Tozé Varanda got free with Fábio Galão in the 22nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Sagrada Esperança's Tozé Varanda came free and shot a quick shot against goal 30 minutes in the game, fortunately Fábio Galão had problems saving as it came toward the left post. 31 minutes into the match, Sagrada Esperança's goal looked a bit too open when Lourenço Abelaira came free, but David Akwa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Huambo Futebol Clube's Henrique Jacinto in the 34th minute got a chance for a shot 34th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Sagrada Esperança's goalie prevented a goal. When Miguel Malafaia fell near the penalty area in the 35th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sagrada Esperança's protests and gave Miguel Malafaia a yellow card for diving instead. In the 35th minute, Miguel Malafaia hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 36th minute Lourenço Abelaira shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but David Akwa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Tozé Varanda got free with Fábio Galão in the 42nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With his leg Fábio Galão managed to avoid a goal in the 44thth minute, when Sagrada Esperança's Tozé Varanda fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

52 minutes into the match, Sagrada Esperança's goalkeeper David Akwa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Hélio Ermida. Lourenço Abelaira struck a weak shot in the 53rd minute. David Akwa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Huambo Futebol Clube. Lourenço Abelaira received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 57th minute. David Akwa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 68 minutes into the match, Sagrada Esperança's Luís Areosa sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Fábio Galão narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The audience was convinced that Luís Areosa's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Fábio Galão was relentless in the 70th minute of the game. In the 75th minute, Hélio Ermida hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Sagrada Esperança's David Akwa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lourenço Abelaira in the 77th minute of play. In the 84th match minute, Sagrada Esperança was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Luís Areosa to maneuver through the defense. David Akwa stood somewhat misplaced when Lourenço Abelaira came free in front of goal and shot 1-2 to the left of him in the 85 minute. 89 minutes into the match, Huambo Futebol Clube's goal looked a bit too open when Tozé Varanda came free, but Fábio Galão reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tozé Varanda in the 94th minute of play forced Huambo Futebol Clube's goalkeeper Fábio Galão to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Huambo Futebol Clube eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.