League

Arena Cruz
Spectators: 5002 (Terracing: 4002, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Atlético Cruz's Haroldo Custódio started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Marcelinho Lopes sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 8th minute Haroldo Custódio shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pedro Luís Godoi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 10th minute Atlético Cruz were awarded a corner. João Paulo Souza went to the cornerflag to take it. João Paulo Souza made a great header on Atlético Cruz's corner, it was just that SF Aripuanã's Pedro Luís Godoi managed to reach the ball for a save. After 12 played minutes SF Aripuanã got a freekick which was hit by Donato Donato. In the 16th minute Ricardinho Recife shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Umberto Batista saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 17th minute, Marcelinho Lopes ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Umberto Batista was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. When Rômulo Toledo fell near the penalty area in the 20th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored SF Aripuanã's protests and gave Rômulo Toledo a yellow card for diving instead. After 20 played minutes SF Aripuanã got a freekick which was hit by Rômulo Toledo. After 25 played minutes Atlético Cruz got a freekick which was hit by João Paulo Souza. When SF Aripuanã's Marcelinho Lopes in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Atlético Cruz's goalie prevented a goal. 28 minutes into the game, SF Aripuanã's Marcelinho Lopes nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Umberto Batista made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. 35 minutes into the match, SF Aripuanã's goal looked a bit too open when Haroldo Custódio came free, but Pedro Luís Godoi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ricardinho Recife sent away a hard shot on goal in the 39th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of SF Aripuanã booed when Atlético Cruz was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 45 match minutes in a wonderful position. Caetano Veiga didn't get a good kick on the ball. Pedro Luís Godoi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Haroldo Custódio, who was totally free with the ball in the 48th minute. Disappointed in the 0-2 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Marcelinho Lopes made the kick off in the second half. Umberto Batista showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Fabiano Furlan in the 53rd minute of the match. With a little luck, Atlético Cruz's Umberto Batista got control of the ball when Marcelinho Lopes tried to sneak it across the goal line. A collision led to SF Aripuanã getting a freekick after 66 minutes play. Donato Donato hit a great ball. Marcelinho Lopes who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 69thth minute tested the skills of Umberto Batista when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Fabiano Furlan struck a weak shot in the 70th minute. Umberto Batista didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for SF Aripuanã. SF Aripuanã's Ricardinho Recife got a good chance for a goal in the 71st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 73 minutes into the match, Marcelinho Lopes notched a goal, 0-3, to the right of Atlético Cruz's Umberto Batista. Umberto Batista was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After a rather tough play, Atlético Cruz's Cido Moreira got a free kick in the 81st minute. Caetano Veiga made in the 82nd minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Eurico Capixaba however managed to control. The audience was convinced that Marcelinho Lopes's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Umberto Batista was relentless in the 87th minute of the game. SF Aripuanã were awarded a corner in the 88th minute after Atlético Cruz's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Rômulo Toledo took the corner. Marcelinho Lopes who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 95thth minute tested the skills of Umberto Batista when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Atlético Cruz's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Marco Ospin 97 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 0-5. SF Aripuanã's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.