Friendly League

Mineirão
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Go Ahead Eagles's Giannis Papakostopoulos 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. In the 3rd minute Giannis Papakostopoulos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vinícius Macedo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. David Beckham sent away a hard shot on goal in the 5th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Giannis Papakostopoulos in the 8th minute of play forced Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's goalkeeper Vinícius Macedo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's Vinícius Macedo played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Giannis Papakostopoulos in the 14th minute of play. With 16 minutes on the clock, Arjan Robben commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. Arjan Robben kicked well hit freekick during the 17th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 18th minute, Fábio Garcia managed to get in a good position for a shot. Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's supporters rose to their feet, but Fábio Garcia was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Themistoklis Charalambakis breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Vinícius Macedo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alkaios Tsionas in the 20th minute of the match. After having played for 25 minutes, Alkaios Tsionas managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Go Ahead Eagles's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alkaios Tsionas was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Naldo Guedes kicked well hit freekick during the 29th minute of the match. When Adelino Simão fell near the penalty area in the 35th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's protests and gave Adelino Simão a yellow card for diving instead. After 35 played minutes, Go Ahead Eagles's Chatziioannou Kakratsas shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Vinícius Macedo 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 Go Ahead Eagles reached it. David Beckham struck a weak shot in the 41st minute. Vinícius Macedo didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Go Ahead Eagles. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube made a substitution. Renatinho Linhares replaced Chico de Brito. The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Renatinho Linhares to strike the kick off in the second half. After 55 played minutes Cruzeiro Esporte Clube got a freekick which was hit by Renatinho Linhares. Chatziioannou Kakratsas hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. David Beckham fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 62nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vinícius Macedo having to interfere. Chatziioannou Kakratsas in the 64thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Vinícius Macedo, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. A hard shot 65 in the game by Chatziioannou Kakratsas from a close distance when the talented Vinícius Macedo managed to make a qualified save. Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's players were relieved. After a rather tough play, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's Fernandão de Amaral got a free kick in the 65th minute. Go Ahead Eagles's David Beckham got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Vinícius Macedo was a little too slow when Alkaios Tsionas got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 71st minute. The score was now 0-1. 77 minutes into the match, David Beckham dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Vinícius Macedo, 0-2. Giannis Papakostopoulos's late challenge caught a Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Giannis Papakostopoulos helped the player get up and apologised. Giannis Papakostopoulos hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. Go Ahead Eagles's Themistoklis Charalambakis played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Renatinho Linhares in the 80th minute of play. Alkaios Tsionas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, Go Ahead Eagles's Panos Rachiotis got a free kick in the 88th minute. With a little luck, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's Vinícius Macedo got control of the ball when Chatziioannou Kakratsas tried to sneak it across the goal line. Themistoklis Charalambakis showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eusébio Magalhães, who was totally free with the ball in the 92nd minute. In the 93rd minute, Giorgos Tsartas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Themistoklis Charalambakis took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ian Abreu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Go Ahead Eagles's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.