League Play-Off

S.F.Houphouët-Boigny
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when José Maria Freire took the kick off in the first half of the match. Juvenal Pinheiro made an important save on a dangerous shot by Giovanni da Mata in the 8th minute. Hamílton de Castro took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 16th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Eliézer Fantini. Paranavai AL's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Roger Valadares sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Roger Valadares struck a weak shot in the 28th minute. Eliézer Fantini didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Palotina. The supporters of Palotina booed when Paranavai AL was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 29 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luiz de Almeida didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Palotina getting a freekick after 31 minutes play. Hamílton de Castro hit a great ball. 34 minutes into the match, Paranavai AL's Victor Cearense sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Juvenal Pinheiro narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Juvenal Pinheiro was a little too slow when Victor Cearense got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 38th minute. The score was now 1-0. Paranavai AL's Victor Cearense got a good chance for a goal in the 47th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Victor Cearense made a kick off. Walmir Mesquita charged in rather forcefully in the 54th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Walmir Mesquita the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a defensive mix-up in Palotina's zone, Nilton Bueno stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Juvenal Pinheiro came out of the goal and Nilton Bueno tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Juvenal Pinheiro showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Celso Meira in the 67th minute of the match. 69 minutes into the game, Paranavai AL's Victor Cearense nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Juvenal Pinheiro made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. Paranavai AL's Mauro Prado quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Hamílton de Castro, made in the 79th minute of the game. Roger Valadares fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Eliézer Fantini having to interfere. Paranavai AL's Eliézer Fantini played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by José Maria Freire in the 86th minute of play. If José Maria Freire had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. José Maria Freire fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 90th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Eliézer Fantini having to interfere. There was no doubt that Paranavai AL were the better team. Paranavai AL's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.