League

Nilton Santos
Spectators: 7713 (Terracing: 5786, Seating: 1774, VIP seats: 153) Botafogo MZRJ's José Vítor Netto played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Andrézinho das Neves in the 4th minute of play. 5 minutes into the game, Gilmar Couto was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Botafogo MZRJ's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Esperança FC the free kick. Gilmar Couto kicked well hit freekick during the 6th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 9th minute, Andrézinho das Neves managed to get in a good position for a shot. Esperança FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Andrézinho das Neves was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. José Vítor Netto breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Gilvan Falcão made in the 12th minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Serginho Azevedo however managed to control. In the 16th match minute, Esperança FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hílton Mangueira to maneuver through the defense. The audience was convinced that Gilmar Couto's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Fabiano Saldanha was relentless in the 18th minute of the game. Fabiano Saldanha took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gilmar Couto, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 25 minutes, Luís de Moraes made it 0-1 with a short kick to the right side. Botafogo MZRJ's José Vítor Netto tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gilmar Couto got free with Fabiano Saldanha in the 29th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 34th match minute, Botafogo MZRJ was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jailson Capixaba to maneuver through the defense. Silas Lara sent away a hard shot on goal in the 41st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 41stth minute of the game Gilmar Couto who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Esperança FC's Fabiano Saldanha was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Hílton Mangueira kicked well hit freekick during the 42nd minute of the match. In the 47th minute, Hílton Mangueira hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After the first half Esperança FC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Luís de Moraes was the one to do the kick off. José Vítor Netto made an important save on a dangerous shot by Adilson de Alcântara in the 52nd minute. Andrézinho das Neves fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without José Vítor Netto having to interfere. Fabiano Saldanha took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gilmar Couto, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Botafogo MZRJ's Juvenal Camargo managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Stig Billvall in the 60 minute of the game. Fabiano Saldanha made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gilmar Couto in the 60th minute of play. Bastian Røyrvik kicked well hit freekick during the 63rd minute of the match. When Gilmar Couto came up free with the goalie in the 65th minute, the Botafogo MZRJ 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 Gilmar Couto couldn't finish the play. Adilson de Alcântara could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 67th minute of the match, but José Vítor Netto made a huge save. The audience thought a goal was coming when Luís de Moraes got free with José Vítor Netto in the 71st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 74 minutes Botafogo MZRJ's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Adilson de Alcântara who took care of the corner kick. Botafogo MZRJ's attentive Juvenal Camargo managed to snatch the ball when Stig Billvall made a throw-in in the 76th minute of the game. José Vítor Netto made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Luís de Moraes sent off a good shot on target. Alberto Novaes hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. A hard shot by Adilson de Alcântara from long distance, 80 minutes into the match, got José Vítor Netto's attention. Through a fast twist with his body, he could stop the ball from going in on his right side. 82 minutes into the game, Stig Billvall threw the ball into play from the sideline. Botafogo MZRJ's Serginho Azevedo quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Antônio Lopez fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Fabiano Saldanha having to interfere. The supporters of Esperança FC booed when Botafogo MZRJ was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 88 match minutes in a wonderful position. Serginho Azevedo didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Esperança FC getting a freekick after 92 minutes play. Andrézinho das Neves hit a great ball. José Vítor Netto made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luís de Moraes in the 96th minute of play.