League Play-Off

Estadio Espargal
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Carlos Valente made the kick off which started today's match. 5 minutes into the match, SC Praganca's goal looked a bit too open when Carlos Valente came free, but Américo Alves reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 7th match minute, SC Espargal was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marco Araújo to maneuver through the defense. In the 8th minute of the match Bento Santarém sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Hugo Rocha skillfully saved the ball. Carlos Valente blasted a shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Américo Alves having to make a save. In the 12th minute, Fernando Paiva left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The SC Espargal fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. If Carlos Valente had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Eduardo Carneiro fell near the penalty area in the 16th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored SC Praganca's protests and gave Eduardo Carneiro a yellow card for diving instead. After 16 played minutes SC Praganca got a freekick which was hit by Eduardo Carneiro. Fernando Paiva charged in rather forcefully in the 17th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Fernando Paiva the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Emílio Guerreiro kicked well hit freekick during the 21st minute of the match. A collision led to SC Praganca getting a freekick after 22 minutes play. Tomás Machado hit a great ball. Fernando Paiva who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 23rdth minute tested the skills of Américo Alves when he managed to save the team from getting behind. SC Espargal's Hugo Rocha played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Armando Baptista in the 42nd minute of play. Jorge Baptista fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hugo Rocha having to interfere. Hugo Rocha showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Armando Baptista in the 45th minute of the match. 49 minutes into the match, Carlos Valente dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Américo Alves, 2-1. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-1.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Armando Baptista to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 62nd minute the ball was on its way in behind SC Praganca's goalkeeper Américo Alves, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 64 played minutes SC Espargal got a freekick which was hit by Heitor Matias. Armando Baptista recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 66th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Jorge Baptista got free with Hugo Rocha in the 68th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. A collision led to SC Praganca getting a freekick after 70 minutes play. Emílio Guerreiro hit a great ball. 73 minutes into the match, SC Espargal's goalkeeper Hugo Rocha had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Jorge Baptista. Armando Baptista's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Hugo Rocha read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 75th minute of play. When SC Espargal's Carlos Valente in the 85th minute got a chance for a shot 85th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SC Praganca's goalie prevented a goal. In the 87th minute Fernando Paiva shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Américo Alves saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Armando Baptista in the 97th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Hugo Rocha prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Américo Alves made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Carlos Valente in the 98th minute of play. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. SC Espargal had won after a very even match.