League Play-Off

Lindolfo Monteiro
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Rui Branco got the match started through his kick off. Emanuel Moura received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 7th minute. Anísio Mandrak tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 11 minutes into the match, Cícero Azevedo had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Anísio Mandrak. River Altlético do Piauí's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cícero Azevedo was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. In the 15th minute the ball was on its way in behind Flamiel United's goalkeeper Richard Pernambucano, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Anísio Mandrak made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Emanuel Moura in the 19th minute of play. 21 minutes into the match, River Altlético do Piauí's Luizinho Lopez sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Richard Pernambucano narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cícero Azevedo in the 24th minute of play forced River Altlético do Piauí's goalkeeper Anísio Mandrak to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Flamiel United's Raúl Palmeira got a free kick in the 28th minute. After having played for 37 minutes, Rui Branco managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. River Altlético do Piauí's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rui Branco was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 38th play minute Maurinho Mota came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Richard Pernambucano. 1-2. 43 minutes into the match, Flamiel United's goal looked a bit too open when Rui Branco came free, but Richard Pernambucano reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Rui Branco sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Anísio Mandrak showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cícero Azevedo, who was totally free with the ball in the 46th minute. Disappointed in the 1-2 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cícero Azevedo to strike the kick off in the second half. In a very dangerous position, a player in River Altlético do Piauí fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 52nd minute. Penalty! Emanuel Moura received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 60th minute. Anísio Mandrak tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. River Altlético do Piauí's Anísio Mandrak proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 63rd minute of the match, managed to save River Altlético do Piauí from getting a goal against them. A collision led to River Altlético do Piauí getting a freekick after 68 minutes play. Wellington Vander hit a great ball. With a little luck, River Altlético do Piauí's Anísio Mandrak got control of the ball when Emanuel Moura tried to sneak it across the goal line. The supporters of Flamiel United booed when River Altlético do Piauí was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 75 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luizinho Lopez didn't get a good kick on the ball. Flamiel United's Cícero Azevedo got a good chance for a goal in the 76th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When Rui Branco fell near the penalty area in the 80th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored River Altlético do Piauí's protests and gave Rui Branco a yellow card for diving instead. Rui Branco kicked well hit freekick during the 80th minute of the match. Emanuel Moura sent away a hard shot on goal in the 82nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Abel Albuquerque charged in rather forcefully in the 83rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Abel Albuquerque the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, River Altlético do Piauí's Abel Albuquerque got a free kick in the 84th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Cícero Azevedo in the 85th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Anísio Mandrak saved River Altlético do Piauí from getting behind. After a defensive mix-up in River Altlético do Piauí's zone, Emanuel Moura stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Anísio Mandrak came out of the goal and Emanuel Moura tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 96th minute, Flamiel United's Cícero Azevedo ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Anísio Mandrak. Anísio Mandrak yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-4.