League Play-Off

Estadio Couto
Spectators: 33 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Armindo Cruz started the match with the kick off. After 2 played minutes Corticadas got a freekick which was hit by Eduardo Pereira. Manuel Assis kicked well hit freekick during the 4th minute of the match. In the 9th minute Armindo Cruz shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sebastião Ferro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Tomás Ramos recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 13th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Armindo Cruz sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Armindo Cruz sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. António Simões fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Álvaro Pires having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Américo Reis during the 22nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Corticadas booed when SC Couto was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 22 match minutes in a wonderful position. Américo Reis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Sebastião Ferro showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Fernando Carneiro, who was totally free with the ball in the 23rd minute. Armindo Cruz blasted a shot towards the goal in the 30th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Sebastião Ferro having to make a save. Pedro Leal hit a great freekick 34 minutes into the match. After 36 played minutes Corticadas got a freekick which was hit by Fernando Carneiro. In the 37th minute, António Henriques sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Corticadas's Álvaro Pires didn't even have to move. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Tomás Ramos in the 41st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Sebastião Ferro saved SC Couto from getting behind. In the 43rd minute, Carlos Borges 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. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-1.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Carlos Borges was the one to do the kick off. Armindo Cruz fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 53rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sebastião Ferro having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 55th minute, Carlos Borges managed to get in a good position for a shot. SC Couto's supporters rose to their feet, but Carlos Borges was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Álvaro Pires breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Álvaro Pires took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Carlos Borges, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Álvaro Pires showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Carlos Borges, who was totally free with the ball in the 63rd minute. After a defensive mix-up in Corticadas's zone, António Simões stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Álvaro Pires came out of the goal and António Simões tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Carlos Borges got free in front of the goal in the 69th minute he wasn't very focused and chipped the ball just over the goal. Álvaro Pires was delighted since he was out of position and the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. In the 73rd minute, Carlos Borges ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Álvaro Pires was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. Carlos Borges fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Álvaro Pires having to interfere. António Simões sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Corticadas supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Corticadas would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.