League

Vendramini arena
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Wiliam Souza took the kick off in the first half of the match. 3 minutes into the match, Vasco da Gama's goalkeeper Zé Paulo Esteves had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Juninho Barreto. Zé Paulo Esteves took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luiz Fábio França, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Wiliam Souza had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Vendramini Team's Celso Pinheiro got a free kick in the 14th minute. João Carlos Motta took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Wiliam Souza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 19th minute, Vendramini Team's Otávio Vasconcelos dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. The supporters of Vasco da Gama booed when Vendramini Team was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 25 match minutes in a wonderful position. Roger Baptista didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Luiz Fábio França in the 27th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Zé Paulo Esteves saved Vasco da Gama from getting behind. The audience thought a goal was coming when Juninho Barreto got free with Zé Paulo Esteves in the 31st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luiz Fábio França in the 32nd minute of play forced Vasco da Gama's goalkeeper Zé Paulo Esteves to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 34 minutes into the game, Vendramini Team's Hortêncio Eger nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Zé Paulo Esteves made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. In the 37th minute, Celso Pinheiro hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 39 played minutes Vasco da Gama got a freekick which was hit by Eurico Trigo. 39 minutes into the match, Vasco da Gama's goal looked a bit too open when Luiz Fábio França came free, but Zé Paulo Esteves reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Luiz Fábio França stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 52 minutes into the match, Vasco da Gama's goal looked a bit too open when Otávio Vasconcelos came free, but Zé Paulo Esteves reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 55 minutes, Arthur Jacinto mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Vasco da Gama and the Vendramini Team players grew even worse after the yellow card. Arthur Jacinto hit a great freekick 55 minutes into the match. Zé Paulo Esteves made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luiz Fábio França in the 57th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Vasco da Gama's Albertinho Teixeira got a free kick in the 59th minute. Bruno Guimarães was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 63 minutes into the match. Zé Paulo Esteves went to the wrong direction when Roger Baptista was taking care of the penalty kick which however missed the goal. After 67 minutes, Otávio Vasconcelos mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Vendramini Team and the Vasco da Gama players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 67th minute, Otávio Vasconcelos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Zé Paulo Esteves took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luiz Fábio França, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Wiliam Souza kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. Juninho Barreto sent away a hard shot on goal in the 75th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Zé Paulo Esteves showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luiz Fábio França, who was totally free with the ball in the 83rd minute. 87 minutes into the match, Juninho Barreto had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Zé Paulo Esteves. Vasco da Gama's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Juninho Barreto was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-0. Juninho Barreto's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Zé Paulo Esteves read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 91st minute of play. In the 99th minute the ball was on its way in behind Vasco da Gama's goalkeeper Zé Paulo Esteves, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Vasco da Gama's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.