League

Fox Arena
Spectators: 7116 (Terracing: 5401, Seating: 1655, VIP seats: 60) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Beto Leal started the match with the kick off. The audience was convinced that Beto Leal's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Válter Cavalcante was relentless in the 4th minute of the game. In the 8th minute, Nelson Baptista hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After recieving a nice pass, Cruzeiro EC's Adelino Hoffmann tried to score from far away in the 9th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. In a very dangerous position, a player in Maciel FC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 11th minute. Penalty! 15 minutes into the game, Adelino Hoffmann was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Cruzeiro EC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Maciel FC the free kick. In the 15th minute, one of Cruzeiro EC:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Cruzeiro EC. Teodoro Britto received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 23rd minute. Dida de Moraes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Róbson Maranhense hit a great freekick 26 minutes into the match. In the 28th minute the ball was on its way in behind Cruzeiro EC's goalkeeper Válter Cavalcante, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 36 minutes into the match, Cruzeiro EC's goal looked a bit too open when Beto Leal came free, but Válter Cavalcante reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Nelson Baptista fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Válter Cavalcante having to interfere. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Eduardo Paraíba made a kick off. Eduardo Paraíba's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Dida de Moraes read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 53rd minute of play. A collision led to Maciel FC getting a freekick after 59 minutes play. Hendi Soesilo hit a great ball. Teodoro Britto sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 68 minutes into the match, Maciel FC's goal looked a bit too open when Eduardo Paraíba came free, but Dida de Moraes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Beto Leal might have been able to make a better finish in the 69th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Válter Cavalcante. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Beto Leal ran back to his position shaking his head. An unexpectedly hard shot by Célio Pombal in the 70th minute of play forced Cruzeiro EC's goalkeeper Válter Cavalcante to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Válter Cavalcante showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Célio Pombal in the 72nd minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 75th minute, Eduardo Paraíba managed to get in a good position for a shot. Cruzeiro EC's supporters rose to their feet, but Eduardo Paraíba was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Dida de Moraes breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Dieguinho Braga hit a great freekick 81 minutes into the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Beto Leal in the 84th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Válter Cavalcante saved Cruzeiro EC from getting behind. Beto Leal fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 89th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Válter Cavalcante having to interfere. In the 91st minute Beto Leal shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Válter Cavalcante saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Chants of Cruzeiro EC echoed around the stadium as the match drew to a close. Supporters and players were both delighted with the win, as Maciel FC had held the ball for most of the match.