League Play-Off

Estadio Machada
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Cristiano Paiva made the kick off which started today's match. Joaquim Santos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 4th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Eduardo Ferro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Paulo Ramos having to interfere. With his leg Paulo Ramos managed to avoid a goal in the 10thth minute, when Machada's Joaquim Santos fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Hugo Fontes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 16th minute. Alexandre Sá tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Fernando Faro hit a great freekick 18 minutes into the match. Eduardo Ferro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Paulo Ramos having to interfere. After 22 minutes, Heitor Pires mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Cintrao FC and the Machada players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 21st minute, one of Cintrao FC:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Cintrao FC. The goalkeeper, Paulo Ramos, was totally fooled by Machada's Simão Trindade, who 23 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. In the 26th minute the ball was on its way in behind Cintrao FC's goalkeeper Paulo Ramos, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Joaquim Santos blasted a shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Paulo Ramos having to make a save. Paulo Ramos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eduardo Ferro in the 30th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Cintrao FC's Nuno Sousa got a free kick in the 32nd minute. Alexandre Sá showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Hugo Fontes in the 42nd minute of the match. In the 46th match minute, Machada was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Filipe Faro to maneuver through the defense. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Eduardo Ferro stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 52 minutes into the match, Machada's goalkeeper Alexandre Sá had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Gustavo Pereira. Cintrao FC's Fernando Faro got a good chance for a goal in the 53rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 57thth minute of the game Eduardo Ferro who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Cintrao FC's Paulo Ramos was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When Cintrao FC's Hugo Fontes in the 62nd minute got a chance for a shot 62nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Machada's goalie prevented a goal. With a little luck, Machada's Alexandre Sá got control of the ball when Hugo Fontes tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 71 played minutes Cintrao FC got a freekick which was hit by Gustavo Pereira. When Hugo Fontes came up free with the goalie in the 73rd minute, the Cintrao 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 Hugo Fontes couldn't finish the play. Cristiano Paiva charged in rather forcefully in the 76th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Cristiano Paiva the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Machada booed when Cintrao FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 76 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cristiano Paiva didn't get a good kick on the ball. 83 minutes into the game, Machada's Eduardo Ferro nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Paulo Ramos made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. In the 87th minute, Cintrao FC's Cristiano Paiva ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Alexandre Sá. Alexandre Sá yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 2-1. Paulo Ramos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eduardo Ferro in the 93rd minute of play.