League

Estádio Arraias
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Cristóvão de Godoi took the kick off in the first half of the match. After 5 played minutes Arraias got a freekick which was hit by Adhemar Aguiar. Valdemar Melo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Murillo Travassos in the 5th minute of play. Juninho Catarinense was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 10th minute. Arraias's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 11th minute of the game. One of Arraias:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Atletico Maranhence:s goal. Marcinho Pontes walked up to take care of the penalty kick. He was aiming for the top corner, but the ball went just outside the post. After 13 played minutes Arraias got a freekick which was hit by Cristóvão de Godoi. 14 minutes into the game, Juninho Catarinense was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Arraias's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Atletico Maranhence the free kick. In the 15th match minute, Arraias was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Juninho Catarinense to maneuver through the defense. 21 minutes into the match, Arraias's goal looked a bit too open when Murillo Travassos came free, but Valdemar Melo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Murillo Travassos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 23rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Elias Zanette's late challenge caught a Arraias's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Elias Zanette helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Arraias booed when Atletico Maranhence was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Evaristo Vale didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 34th minute Murillo Travassos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Valdemar Melo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Gildo de Barros hit a great freekick 38 minutes into the match. Valdemar Melo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Murillo Travassos, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Murillo Travassos made a kick off. If Murillo Travassos had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Gildo de Barros had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Valdemar Melo was out of position in the 75 minute of play, and Murillo Travassos capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Murillo Travassos really showed his touch with that goal: 0-1. In the 78th minute, Juninho Catarinense hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Marcinho Pontes was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 79th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. If Murillo Travassos had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 84th minute, Juninho Catarinense hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After having played for 85 minutes, Murillo Travassos managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Atletico Maranhence's supporters crossed their fingers, but Murillo Travassos was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Fausto Carneiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The Atletico Maranhence supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Atletico Maranhence would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.