League

Estádio Vila Rica
Spectators: 6888 (Terracing: 5420, Seating: 1325, VIP seats: 143) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Vitório Falcão kicked off to start the match. Almir Messias struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Sérgio Machado didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for EXCELSIOR FC. After a rather tough play, EXCELSIOR FC's Jairo Chaves got a free kick in the 10th minute. In the 20th minute, Vitório Falcão made a precise shot to the right of Sérgio Machado. Vila Rica EC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. In the 23rd minute the ball was on its way in behind EXCELSIOR FC's goalkeeper Kléberson Jacinto, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 27th minute, Moisés do Valle left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Vila Rica EC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. Josué Cabral received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 30th minute. Kléberson Jacinto tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Josué Cabral recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 32nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a defensive mix-up in EXCELSIOR FC's zone, Josué Cabral stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Kléberson Jacinto came out of the goal and Josué Cabral tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a defensive mix-up in EXCELSIOR FC's zone, Romeu Torres stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Kléberson Jacinto came out of the goal and Romeu Torres tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Kléberson Jacinto made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Josué Cabral in the 40th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vitório Falcão in the 44th minute of play forced Vila Rica EC's goalkeeper Sérgio Machado to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Kléberson Jacinto showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Josué Cabral in the 45th minute of the match. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Josué Cabral to make the kick off. Josué Cabral sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Josué Cabral might have been able to make a better finish in the 56th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Kléberson Jacinto. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Josué Cabral ran back to his position shaking his head. After a rather tough play, EXCELSIOR FC's Afonso de Azevedo got a free kick in the 57th minute. Valdomiro Eger hit a great freekick 60 minutes into the match. EXCELSIOR FC's Kléberson Jacinto played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Josué Cabral in the 63rd minute of play. The supporters of EXCELSIOR FC booed when Vila Rica EC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tiago Gabriel Bittencourt didn't get a good kick on the ball. Almir Messias recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 67th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Josué Cabral sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. EXCELSIOR FC's Jairo Chaves got his second yellow card of the match in the 75th minute. The referee ordered Jairo Chaves off the ground. In the 76th minute, Jairo Chaves hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Sérgio Machado made an important save on a dangerous shot by Almir Messias in the 79th minute.