League Play-Off

Azambuja
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Raul Maia started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. When Jorge Amorim came up free with the goalie in the 7th minute, the Azambuja FC 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 Jorge Amorim couldn't finish the play. 16 minutes into the game, Raul Maia recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of José Moniz. Raul Maia showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-0. Jorge Amorim received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 25th minute. José Moniz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. José Moniz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Raul Maia in the 28th minute of play. Afonso Porto struck a weak shot in the 33rd minute. Joel Bessa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Merelhe FC. 34 minutes into the game, Viriato Anjos was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Azambuja FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Merelhe FC the free kick. After 36 played minutes Azambuja FC got a freekick which was hit by Eusébio Morais. An unexpectedly hard shot by Raul Maia in the 39th minute of play forced Merelhe FC's goalkeeper José Moniz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Merelhe FC booed when Azambuja FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 41 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alberto Lima didn't get a good kick on the ball. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Afonso Porto made a kick off. In the 63rd minute, Alberto Lima hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Joel Bessa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Afonso Nogueira in the 64th minute. If Afonso Nogueira had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 70th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 72 minutes, Afonso Porto managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Merelhe FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Afonso Porto was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Alberto Lima during the 73rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Azambuja FC getting a freekick after 73 minutes play. Alberto Lima hit a great ball. After a defensive mix-up in Merelhe FC's zone, Jorge Amorim stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. José Moniz came out of the goal and Jorge Amorim tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 81st minute, António Guarda hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Raul Maia came up free with the goalie in the 82nd minute, the Azambuja FC 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 Raul Maia couldn't finish the play. Raul Maia recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 84th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Joel Bessa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Afonso Porto, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Merelhe FC's Afonso Nogueira got a good chance for a goal in the 88th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Jorge Amorim fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without José Moniz having to interfere. José Moniz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Raul Maia, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side.