League Play-Off

Estadio Ovoa
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Balcas's Manuel Garcia 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. After a defensive mix-up in Ovoa's zone, Marco Soares stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Artur Freitas came out of the goal and Marco Soares tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 13 minutes, Marco Soares managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Balcas's supporters crossed their fingers, but Marco Soares was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The supporters of Balcas booed when Ovoa was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 13 match minutes in a wonderful position. Emanuel Lima didn't get a good kick on the ball. After recieving a nice pass, Balcas's Eduardo Moreira tried to score from far away in the 14th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Manuel Garcia in the 16th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Artur Freitas saved Ovoa from getting behind. Emanuel Lima kicked well hit freekick during the 17th minute of the match. After 19 played minutes Ovoa got a freekick which was hit by Inácio Abreu. Alberto Valente fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 21st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Daniel Mota having to interfere. 22 minutes into the match, Balcas's goalkeeper Daniel Mota had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Inácio Abreu. In the 23rd minute, Emanuel Lima hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 26th minute, Vicente Rocha hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 27th minute, Marco Soares managed to get in a good position for a shot. Balcas's supporters rose to their feet, but Marco Soares was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Artur Freitas breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 29 minutes into the match, Manuel Garcia had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Artur Freitas. Ovoa's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Manuel Garcia was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. If Manuel Garcia had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Marco Soares had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 33rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Balcas booed when Ovoa was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 36 match minutes in a wonderful position. Vicente Rocha didn't get a good kick on the ball. Artur Freitas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Manuel Garcia in the 38th minute of play. After 39 played minutes Ovoa got a freekick which was hit by Alberto Valente. Manuel Garcia's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Artur Freitas read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 40th minute of play. If Bento Almeida had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Marco Soares came free with the goalkeeper in the 53rd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Artur Freitas could save by the left post. When José Moniz fell near the penalty area in the 56th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Balcas's protests and gave José Moniz a yellow card for diving instead. The referee gave Ovoa a penalty, 58 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Heitor Nascimento, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Balcas's Daniel Mota. 1-1. Manuel Garcia struck a weak shot in the 71st minute. Artur Freitas didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Balcas. An unexpected shot in the 73rd minute by Marco Soares got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Manuel Garcia in the 75th minute of play forced Ovoa's goalkeeper Artur Freitas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Manuel Garcia 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. Manuel Garcia received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Artur Freitas tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 91st minute of the match José Moniz sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Artur Freitas skillfully saved the ball. Inácio Abreu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 94th minute. Daniel Mota tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Balcas getting a freekick after 95 minutes play. Bruno Marques hit a great ball. In the 98th minute Inácio Abreu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Daniel Mota saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The teams fought very hard right up to the final whistle. Both sets of players were happy to go away with a draw.