League Play-Off

Odilon Flores
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Pantanal's Attilio Benarrivo 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. 2 minutes into the game, Abelardo Velasco recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Luiz Fábio Paes. Abelardo Velasco showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Attilio Benarrivo scored 1-1 in the 6th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Mazinho Arósio, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. With a little luck, Pantanal's Luiz Fábio Paes got control of the ball when Abelardo Velasco tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 16th match minute, Mineiros Esporte Clube was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by João Pedro Fernandes to maneuver through the defense. In the 17th minute, Attilio Benarrivo left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Pantanal fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-2. Luiz Gustavo Siqueira fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Luiz Fábio Paes having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Nicolas Moreira in the 29th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Luiz Fábio Paes prevented the ball from getting in the gole. With a little luck, Pantanal's Luiz Fábio Paes got control of the ball when Abelardo Velasco tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Luiz Gustavo Siqueira had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 36th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 39 minutes into the match, Mineiros Esporte Clube's Luiz Gustavo Siqueira sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Luiz Fábio Paes narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 40th match minute, Pantanal was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Attilio Benarrivo to maneuver through the defense. Abelardo Velasco sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 3-2 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Luiz Gustavo Siqueira was the one to do the kick off. Luiz Gustavo Siqueira struck a weak shot in the 56th minute. Luiz Fábio Paes didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mineiros Esporte Clube. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Luiz Gustavo Siqueira in the 61st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Luiz Fábio Paes saved Pantanal from getting behind. The audience was convinced that Luiz Gustavo Siqueira's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Luiz Fábio Paes was relentless in the 62nd minute of the game. After 65 played minutes Mineiros Esporte Clube got a freekick which was hit by Thomás Araújo. In the 67th minute Luiz Gustavo Siqueira shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Luiz Fábio Paes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 69th minute, Luiz Gustavo Siqueira got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After 74 played minutes Mineiros Esporte Clube got a freekick which was hit by João Pedro Fernandes. Luiz Gustavo Siqueira took the ball and in the 83 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Luiz Fábio Paes. Luiz Fábio Paes dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 4-2. Luiz Fábio Paes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Abelardo Velasco in the 86th minute of play. After having played for 90 minutes, Luiz Gustavo Siqueira managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mineiros Esporte Clube's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luiz Gustavo Siqueira was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Nicolas Moreira sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 93 minutes into the match, Mineiros Esporte Clube's goal looked a bit too open when Attilio Benarrivo came free, but Mazinho Arósio reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Luiz Fábio Paes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luiz Gustavo Siqueira in the 94th minute of play. The supporters of Mineiros Esporte Clube booed when Pantanal was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Flavinho Mineiro didn't get a good kick on the ball. When the referee ended the match the Mineiros Esporte Clube players were able to celebrate. They had won a fair victory and recieved the ovations of their fans.