League Play-Off

Estádio Itaja
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Silas Cearense made the kick off which started today's match. Itaja EC's Cléberson Koehler played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Serafim Pernambucano in the 6th minute of play. Raí Macedo scored 1-0 in the 10th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Mauro do Vale, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Adolfo Severo kicked well hit freekick during the 15th minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Itaja EC's zone, Serafim Pernambucano stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Cléberson Koehler came out of the goal and Serafim Pernambucano tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Itaja EC's Cléberson Koehler played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Serafim Pernambucano in the 17th minute of play. Serafim Pernambucano received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 21st minute. Cléberson Koehler tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Cléberson Koehler made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Leonel Dionísio in the 24th minute of play. 25 minutes into the match, Itaja EC's goal looked a bit too open when Leonel Dionísio came free, but Cléberson Koehler reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 29th match minute, Itaja EC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adolfo Severo to maneuver through the defense. 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.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Leonel Dionísio was the one to do the kick off. Mauro do Vale showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Adolfo Severo in the 52nd minute of the match. Silas Cearense hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. In the 59th minute, Vitinho Valladares fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. After some fancy dribbling in the 62nd minute, Serafim Pernambucano managed to get in a good position for a shot. Herbalife's supporters rose to their feet, but Serafim Pernambucano was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Cléberson Koehler breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Juarês Prata kicked well hit freekick during the 63rd minute of the match. Mauro do Vale showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Juninho Linares in the 66th minute of the match. Serafim Pernambucano recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 70th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Serafim Pernambucano had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Serafim Pernambucano could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 74th minute of the match, but Cléberson Koehler made a huge save. After 78 minutes of play, Itaja EC's Silas Cearense made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Mauro do Vale was left in no man's land by his defense there! Mauro do Vale took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Juninho Linares, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mauro do Vale showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Juninho Linares in the 83rd minute of the match. After some careless play in the Herbalife defense, Raí Macedo kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Mauro do Vale. The Herbalife fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Mauro do Vale should have stopped the shot. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Itaja EC fans cheered their team off the field, for while Herbalife had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.