League Play-Off

Estadio Pedragulho
Spectators: 33 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) SC Alvorao's Humberto Leão 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. Humberto Leão struck a weak shot in the 3rd minute. Xavier Pinheiro didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for SC Alvorao. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Anjos in the 5th minute of play forced SC Alvorao's goalkeeper Jorge Garcia to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Albertino Vale charged in rather forcefully in the 13th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Albertino Vale the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Pedragulho FC's Xavier Pinheiro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Humberto Leão in the 19th minute of play. Pedragulho FC's Daniel Anjos managed to work through SC Alvorao's defense and was going for an easy goal, but he hit the shot with his toe and the ball flew outside the goal. Daniel Anjos dejectedly held out his arms as if to ask why the ball hadn't gone in. Xavier Pinheiro stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Humberto Leão's shot from short distance in the 32nd minute. When the match had gone on for 32 minutes, Humberto Leão put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Xavier Pinheiro. After 37th play minutes André Leão shot 0-2, a short shot which went by Xavier Pinheiro and just under the crossbar into goal. Rui Melo's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 42ndth minute, Jorge Garcia skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. In the 47th minute, André Leão ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Xavier Pinheiro was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-3. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Daniel Anjos to strike the kick off in the second half. The supporters of Pedragulho FC booed when SC Alvorao was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Henrique Amaro didn't get a good kick on the ball. 58 minutes into the game, Pedragulho FC's Rui Melo nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jorge Garcia made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. When Henrique Amaro fell near the penalty area in the 61st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored SC Alvorao's protests and gave Henrique Amaro a yellow card for diving instead. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Rui Melo in the 62nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jorge Garcia prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 63rd match minute, SC Alvorao was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Albertino Vale to maneuver through the defense. Rui Melo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 64th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jorge Garcia having to interfere. In the 70th minute, Rui Melo got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. A collision led to SC Alvorao getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Afonso Magalhães hit a great ball. 81 minutes into the game, Carlos Cabral was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. SC Alvorao's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Pedragulho FC the free kick. After a rather tough play, SC Alvorao's Carlos Cabral got a free kick in the 81st minute. A collision led to SC Alvorao getting a freekick after 83 minutes play. Albertino Vale hit a great ball. Afonso Correia took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 84th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Jorge Garcia. SC Alvorao's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Pedragulho FC's Xavier Pinheiro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Humberto Leão in the 92nd minute of play. Humberto Leão received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 95th minute. Xavier Pinheiro tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 96 minutes, André Leão managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SC Alvorao's supporters crossed their fingers, but André Leão was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The SC Alvorao supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing SC Alvorao would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.