League Play-Off

Campos
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Luís Esteves started the match with the kick off. 4 minutes into the match, Luís Esteves dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Américo Leite, 1-0. Fernando Amaro in the 10thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Américo Leite, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Campos FC's Fernando Amaro got a good chance for a goal in the 12th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 25 minutes into the match, Campos FC's goal looked a bit too open when Ricardo Neves came free, but Paulo Esteves reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ricardo Neves in the 26th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Paulo Esteves prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a rather tough play, Arao's Pedro Anjos got a free kick in the 33rd minute. Fernando Amaro took the ball and in the 34 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Américo Leite. Américo Leite dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-0. Paulo Esteves took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nuno Cruz, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Américo Leite showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luís Esteves in the 41st minute of the match. Af the end of the first half the score was 2-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Nuno Cruz made a kick off. Paulo Esteves stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Nuno Cruz's shot from short distance in the 51st minute. After some careless play in the Arao defense, Basílio Aguiar kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Américo Leite. The Arao fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Américo Leite should have stopped the shot. In the 55th match minute, Arao was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Amílcar Moreira to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 61st minute, Fernando Amaro managed to get in a good position for a shot. Campos FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Fernando Amaro was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Américo Leite breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. When Basílio Aguiar fell near the penalty area in the 64th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Campos FC's protests and gave Basílio Aguiar a yellow card for diving instead. Arao's Nuno Cruz got a good chance for a goal in the 66th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Joaquim Aguiar's late challenge caught a Campos FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Joaquim Aguiar helped the player get up and apologised. In the 68th minute, Joaquim Aguiar hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 72 minutes had been played when some careless play by Arao's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Cristiano Simões was slow to take the kick. During this time Campos FC's players had a chance to rest. The corner led Campos FC's Cristiano Simões to fire away a dangerous shot which Américo Leite despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Luís Esteves received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 76th minute. Américo Leite tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Américo Leite showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Fernando Amaro, who was totally free with the ball in the 78th minute. Américo Leite showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Afonso Fonseca, who was totally free with the ball in the 81st minute. Américo Leite made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luís Esteves in the 85th minute of play. Basílio Aguiar blasted a shot towards the goal in the 90th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Américo Leite having to make a save. After having played for 93 minutes, Luís Esteves managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Campos FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luís Esteves was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Fernando Amaro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 98th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Campos FC's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.