League Play-Off

Estadio Cruzeiro
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Cruzeiro's Olavo Espinosa started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Raul Sá showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Olavo Espinosa, who was totally free with the ball in the 5th minute. When Olavo Espinosa fell near the penalty area in the 6th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Cruzeiro's protests and gave Olavo Espinosa a yellow card for diving instead. After 13 played minutes SC Orcario got a freekick which was hit by Artur Soares. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 14th minute of the game. One of SC Orcario:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Cruzeiro:s goal. Emanuel Guarda's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Kevin Gama read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 19th minute of play. Manuel Brandão sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 24th minute of the match Ronaldo Bandeira sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Raul Sá skillfully saved the ball. If Manuel Brandão had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 25th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Olavo Espinosa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Raul Sá having to interfere. Emanuel Guarda sent away a hard shot on goal in the 32nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 34th minute Gil Borges suffered a thigh injury and had to be helped off the field. Olavo Espinosa was shown his second yellow card after 34 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. Manuel Brandão fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Raul Sá having to interfere. After a rather tough play, SC Orcario's Artur Soares got a free kick in the 39th minute. Raul Sá made a fantastic save in the 40th minute, when Manuel Brandão sent off a good shot on target. In the 45th match minute, Cruzeiro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rubim Valente to maneuver through the defense. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Emanuel Guarda stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. A collision led to Cruzeiro getting a freekick after 53 minutes play. Alcides Luz hit a great ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 54th minute, Augusto Trindade managed to get in a good position for a shot. SC Orcario's supporters rose to their feet, but Augusto Trindade was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Kevin Gama breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 55 minutes into the game, Carlos Pádua was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Cruzeiro's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave SC Orcario the free kick. After 55 played minutes Cruzeiro got a freekick which was hit by Carlos Pádua. After a defensive mix-up in SC Orcario's zone, Manuel Brandão stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Raul Sá came out of the goal and Manuel Brandão tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Paulo Amaro recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 70th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Emanuel Guarda in the 72ndth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Kevin Gama, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Kevin Gama showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Artur Soares, who was totally free with the ball in the 73rd minute. 74 minutes into the match, SC Orcario's Emanuel Guarda sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Kevin Gama narrowly saved just below the crossbar. SC Orcario's Raul Sá played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Carlos Pádua in the 76th minute of play. Raul Sá made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Carlos Pádua in the 78th minute of play. Artur Soares kicked well hit freekick during the 79th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Manuel Brandão in the 80th minute of play forced SC Orcario's goalkeeper Raul Sá to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Pedro Pires's late challenge caught a SC Orcario's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Pedro Pires helped the player get up and apologised. In the 82nd match minute, Cruzeiro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pedro Pires to maneuver through the defense. Emanuel Guarda came free with the goalkeeper in the 84th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Kevin Gama could save by the left post. Raul Sá took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Manuel Brandão, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Manuel Brandão recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 87th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Jorge Macedo kicked well hit freekick during the 88th minute of the match. 90 minutes into the game, Paulo Pires was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. SC Orcario's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Cruzeiro the free kick. Manuel Brandão fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Raul Sá having to interfere. Cruzeiro were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of SC Orcario for a fine match.