League Play-Off

SAFARI CHIC
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Chiquinho Cardoso made the kick off and thus started the match. In the 3rd minute, Rubens Donatello 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. Rubens Donatello struck a weak shot in the 4th minute. Lúcio Valladares didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for FLAMENGO. Guga Gonçalves took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Chiquinho Cardoso, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 10th minute, Rubens Donatello 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. Franklin da Cunha sent away a hard shot on goal in the 12th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Lúcio Valladares showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rubens Donatello, who was totally free with the ball in the 15th minute. Lúcio Valladares showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Franklin da Cunha in the 18th minute of the match. 19 minutes into the match, SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB's goal looked a bit too open when Gugu Custódio came free, but Lúcio Valladares reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 22 minutes into the game, Gugu Custódio cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Lúcio Valladares was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 25 minutes into the game, Rubinho Bittencourt was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. FLAMENGO's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB the free kick. In the 26th match minute, FLAMENGO was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rubinho Bittencourt to maneuver through the defense. If Gugu Custódio had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 29th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 35th minute Franklin da Cunha shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lúcio Valladares saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rubinho Bittencourt recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 36th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 37 played minutes SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB got a freekick which was hit by Agostinho Massa. When Gugu Custódio came up free with the goalie in the 38th minute, the FLAMENGO fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Gugu Custódio couldn't finish the play. Lúcio Valladares showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rubens Donatello in the 40th minute of the match. If Rubinho Bittencourt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 45 minutes into the game, Chiquinho Cardoso recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Guga Gonçalves. Chiquinho Cardoso showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-1. After some fancy dribbling in the 48th minute, Giovanni Peres managed to get in a good position for a shot. SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB's supporters rose to their feet, but Giovanni Peres was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Guga Gonçalves breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Rubens Donatello to strike the kick off in the second half. Franklin da Cunha recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 55th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. FLAMENGO's Franklin da Cunha got a good chance for a goal in the 57th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 61 minutes into the match, Rubens Donatello dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Lúcio Valladares, 1-2. In the 67th minute Rubens Donatello shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lúcio Valladares saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 68th minute, Franklin da Cunha 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. The supporters of FLAMENGO booed when SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 70 match minutes in a wonderful position. Wiliam do Nascimento didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a little luck, SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB's Lúcio Valladares got control of the ball when Gugu Custódio tried to sneak it across the goal line. 75 minutes into the match, SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB's goal looked a bit too open when Rubens Donatello came free, but Lúcio Valladares reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 78th minute, Agostinho Massa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Rubinho Bittencourt in the 80th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Lúcio Valladares prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 81 minutes into the game, Agostinho Massa cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-2. Guga Gonçalves was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. If Rubinho Bittencourt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 86th minute of the match, Rubens Donatello tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Lúcio Valladares saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. After 88 minutes of play, FLAMENGO's Rubens Donatello made it 2-3 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Lúcio Valladares was left in no man's land by his defense there! FLAMENGO's Guga Gonçalves played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Chiquinho Cardoso in the 91st minute of play. Gugu Custódio could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 96th minute of the match, but Lúcio Valladares made a huge save. FLAMENGO played a much better game than SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB and deserved their victory. The SAFARI FOOTBALL CLUB players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.