League Play-Off

Mendo
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Luís Amaro took the kick off in the first half of the match. After a defensive mix-up in SC Borbolega's zone, Luís Amaro stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Filipe Jesus came out of the goal and Luís Amaro tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Cristiano Luz recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 5th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 6 played minutes SC Borbolega got a freekick which was hit by André Setúbal. 7 minutes into the match, SC Borbolega's goal looked a bit too open when Luís Amaro came free, but Filipe Jesus reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Abel Pacheco showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Emílio Branco in the 10th minute of the match. Emílio Branco's late challenge caught a Mendo's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Emílio Branco helped the player get up and apologised. Emílio Branco kicked well hit freekick during the 13th minute of the match. Mendo's Abel Pacheco played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristiano Vaz in the 17th minute of play. In the 22nd minute the ball was on its way in behind SC Borbolega's goalkeeper Filipe Jesus, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Abel Pacheco showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Emílio Branco, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. Cristiano Luz sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Mário Neto hit a great freekick 36 minutes into the match. Abel Pacheco showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cristiano Vaz, who was totally free with the ball in the 38th minute. When Mendo's Cristiano Luz in 42 game minutes managed to cut through with the ball in front of the goal, only having to shoot. Filipe Jesus guarding the goal like a pit bull was extremely focused and managed to reach the ball just by the crossbar before it went in. In the 49th match minute, Mendo was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Augusto Almeida to maneuver through the defense. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cristiano Vaz to strike the kick off in the second half. Filipe Jesus came out of the goal in the 56th minute to try and stop a shot by Mendo's Luís Amaro. But to his dismay, Luís Amaro quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. Abel Pacheco made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristiano Vaz in the 59th minute of play. A collision led to Mendo getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Alexandre Campos hit a great ball. If Cristiano Vaz had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 69th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Luís Amaro in the 77th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Filipe Jesus saved SC Borbolega from getting behind. In the 82nd minute, Emílio Machado hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 85 minutes SC Borbolega's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Júlio Nascimento who took care of the corner kick. Cristiano Luz was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Henrique Pinto during the 87th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 87th minute, Henrique Pinto hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 88th minute, Luís Amaro managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mendo's supporters rose to their feet, but Luís Amaro was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Filipe Jesus breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Cristiano Luz recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 93rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Luís Amaro sent away a hard shot on goal in the 97th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Cristiano Luz fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 99th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Filipe Jesus having to interfere. SC Borbolega's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.