League

Estádio Heimtal
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Murillo Favoretto made the kick off which started today's match. After a rather tough play, Esmeraldas E.C's Jano Carioca got a free kick in the 3rd minute. Itapua's Romeu Terra proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 6th minute of the match, managed to save Itapua from getting a goal against them. Murillo Favoretto in the 8thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Romeu Terra, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Fausto Ceresso hit a great freekick 9 minutes into the match. When Esmeraldas E.C's Matías Sá in the 11th minute got a chance for a shot 11th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Itapua's goalie prevented a goal. Maurício Bezerra charged in rather forcefully in the 14th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Maurício Bezerra the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 14th match minute, Itapua was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Maurício Bezerra to maneuver through the defense. The supporters of Itapua booed when Esmeraldas E.C was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 16 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gustavo Chaves didn't get a good kick on the ball. Osmar Ceresso took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Afonsinho Sá, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Esmeraldas E.C fans' excitement grew in the 23rd match minute when Esmeraldas E.C's Murillo Favoretto 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 1-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. When Antônio Lago came up free with the goalie in the 27th minute, the Itapua fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Antônio Lago couldn't finish the play. Murillo Favorettos short, quick shot in the 29thth minute got Romeu Terra to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After some fancy dribbling in the 38th minute, Júlio Mendes managed to get in a good position for a shot. Esmeraldas E.C's supporters rose to their feet, but Júlio Mendes was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Romeu Terra breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 43rd match minute, Itapua was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Betão Mendonça to maneuver through the defense. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

Romeu Terra made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Fausto Ceresso in the 51st minute of play. Esmeraldas E.C's Fausto Ceresso got a good chance for a goal in the 52nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 54th minute, Afonsinho Sá left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Itapua fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. After some careless play in the Itapua defense, Murillo Favoretto kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Romeu Terra. The Itapua fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Romeu Terra should have stopped the shot. After a rather tough play, Esmeraldas E.C's Matías Sá got a free kick in the 66th minute. In the 69th minute Afonsinho Sá shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Osmar Ceresso saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Romeu Terra took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Matías Sá, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Murillo Favoretto in the 76th minute of play forced Itapua's goalkeeper Romeu Terra to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 80 minutes into the match, Itapua's goal looked a bit too open when Murillo Favoretto came free, but Romeu Terra reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Matías Sá came up free with the goalie in the 81st minute, the Esmeraldas E.C fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Matías Sá couldn't finish the play. 83 minutes into the match, Murillo Favoretto notched a goal, 3-1, to the right of Itapua's Romeu Terra. Romeu Terra was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Murillo Favoretto struck a weak shot in the 89th minute. Romeu Terra didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Esmeraldas E.C. João de Amaral kicked well hit freekick during the 90th minute of the match. There was no doubt that Esmeraldas E.C were the better team. Esmeraldas E.C's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.