League Play-Off

Estadio Alcafaz
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Hugo Mota got the match started through his kick off. 5 minutes into the game, Hugo Mota cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Vicente Mendes was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The supporters of Helenos FC booed when Alcafaz was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Álvaro Mota didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 11 played minutes Alcafaz got a freekick which was hit by André Rodrigues. In the 13th minute of the match Vítor Macedo shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Vicente Mendes showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Hugo Mota fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vicente Mendes having to interfere. José Lopes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 16th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vicente Mendes having to interfere. Vicente Mendes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from José Lopes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Hugo Mota's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Vicente Mendes read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 21st minute of play. In the 23rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Alcafaz's goalkeeper Vicente Mendes, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Hugo Cabral showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristiano Queirós in the 26th minute of the match. José Lopes recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 27th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 29th minute, Hugo Mota 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. Hugo Mota spun around in front of the goal 36 minutes in the game, and got away a shot that, to his disappointment, went to the left of Alcafaz's goal. 44 minutes into the match, Alcafaz's goal looked a bit too open when Hugo Mota came free, but Vicente Mendes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If José Lopes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 45th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Delfim Resende charged in rather forcefully in the 46th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Delfim Resende the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 45 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Alcafaz! After the first half Helenos FC were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Cristiano Queirós made a kick off. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by André Rodrigues during the 58th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Alcafaz getting a freekick after 58 minutes play. André Rodrigues hit a great ball. After having played for 61 minutes, Cristiano Queirós managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Alcafaz's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristiano Queirós was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Helenos FC's Hugo Cabral played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Amaral in the 62nd minute of play. Hugo Cabral made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Amaral in the 67th minute of play. In the 72nd match minute, Alcafaz was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cristiano Queirós to maneuver through the defense. Joel Amaral sent away a hard shot on goal in the 75th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Vicente Mendes showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Afonso Monteiro in the 77th minute of the match. With his leg Vicente Mendes managed to avoid a goal in the 78thth minute, when Helenos FC's José Lopes fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. If José Lopes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Alcafaz's zone, Gil Pires stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Vicente Mendes came out of the goal and Gil Pires tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. José Lopes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 89th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vicente Mendes having to interfere. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Helenos FC walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.