League Play-Off

Cursaes
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Catarino Resende took the kick off in the first half of the match. Raul Branco made an important save on a dangerous shot by Nuno Borba in the 3rd minute. If Miguel Morais had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 9th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. With a little luck, Azelhal FC's Raul Branco got control of the ball when Nuno Borba tried to sneak it across the goal line. A collision led to Azelhal FC getting a freekick after 18 minutes play. Afonso Santarém hit a great ball. With 21 minutes on the clock, Jacinto Paredes commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. After some careless play in the SC Cursaes defense, Afonso Monteiro kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Júlio Dias. The SC Cursaes fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Júlio Dias should have stopped the shot. Nuno Borba's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 26thth minute, Raul Branco skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Azelhal FC's André Rocha got a good chance for a goal in the 30th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Afonso Santarém during the 35th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Azelhal FC's Afonso Santarém got a free kick in the 36th minute. Nuno Borba struck a weak shot in the 37th minute. Raul Branco didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for SC Cursaes. In the 41st minute the ball was on its way in behind SC Cursaes's goalkeeper Júlio Dias, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Catarino Resende sent away a hard shot on goal in the 43rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Júlio Dias made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from André Valente in the 43rd minute of play. After the first half Azelhal FC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Nuno Borba to strike the kick off in the second half. Alexandre Viana fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 52nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Raul Branco having to interfere. 56 minutes into the match, Azelhal FC's Catarino Resende sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Júlio Dias narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Rui Bessa hit a great freekick 58 minutes into the match. Raul Branco took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nuno Borba, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 65th minute the ball was on its way in behind SC Cursaes's goalkeeper Júlio Dias, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. SC Cursaes's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Catarino Resende 68 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 0-2. 76 minutes into the match, Azelhal FC's goal looked a bit too open when Álvaro Lima came free, but Raul Branco reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 79th minute, Afonso Santarém managed to get in a good position for a shot. Azelhal FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Afonso Santarém was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Júlio Dias breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Nuno Borba recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 82nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Catarino Resende fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 87th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Júlio Dias having to interfere. André Valente fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Júlio Dias having to interfere.