League

Jayme Cintra
Spectators: 7295 (Terracing: 5473, Seating: 1677, VIP seats: 145) Nukengo SC's Márcio Neves 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. The Nukengo SC fans' excitement grew in the 4th match minute when Nukengo SC's Márcio Neves looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. After 12 minutes of play, Nukengo SC's Sílvio Dante made it 0-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. José Pedro Mangueira was left in no man's land by his defense there! When Nukengo SC's Márcio Neves in the 16th minute got a chance for a shot 16th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Paulista FC's goalie prevented a goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 19th minute, Márcio Neves managed to get in a good position for a shot. Nukengo SC's supporters rose to their feet, but Márcio Neves was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. José Pedro Mangueira breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 21 played minutes, Nukengo SC's Toninho Gomes shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper José Pedro Mangueira came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Nukengo SC reached it. 23 minutes into the game, Márcio Neves cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-3. José Pedro Mangueira was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The audience was convinced that Márcio Neves's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but José Pedro Mangueira was relentless in the 33rd minute of the game. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Márcio Neves in the 35th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg José Pedro Mangueira saved Paulista FC from getting behind. The audience was convinced that Valdemar Mello's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but José Pedro Mangueira was relentless in the 36th minute of the game. After 38 played minutes Paulista FC got a freekick which was hit by Telmo Vergílio. Márcio Neves might have been able to make a better finish in the 46th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over José Pedro Mangueira. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Márcio Neves ran back to his position shaking his head. After the first half Nukengo SC were leading 0-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Jerônimo dos Santos made a kick off. In the 51st minute Jerônimo dos Santos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Douglas Bezerra saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Márcio Neves who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 54thth minute tested the skills of José Pedro Mangueira when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Márcio Neves received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. José Pedro Mangueira tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 60th minute, Márcio Neves managed to get in a good position for a shot. Nukengo SC's supporters rose to their feet, but Márcio Neves was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. José Pedro Mangueira breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Toninho Gomes struck a weak shot in the 64th minute. José Pedro Mangueira didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Nukengo SC. Toninho Gomes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 67th minute. José Pedro Mangueira tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Márcio Nevess short, quick shot in the 76thth minute got José Pedro Mangueira to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Sílvio Dante sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The audience was convinced that Márcio Neves's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but José Pedro Mangueira was relentless in the 84th minute of the game. When Chiquinho Negri fell near the penalty area in the 86th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Nukengo SC's protests and gave Chiquinho Negri a yellow card for diving instead. Chiquinho Negri kicked well hit freekick during the 86th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 88th minute, João Augusto Mello managed to get in a good position for a shot. Nukengo SC's supporters rose to their feet, but João Augusto Mello was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. José Pedro Mangueira breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Márcio Neves's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 93rdth minute, José Pedro Mangueira skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Nukengo SC played a much better game than Paulista FC and deserved their victory. The Paulista FC players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.