League Play-Off

José Alvalade
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Marco Moura kicked off to start the match. After a defensive mix-up in Sporting CP's zone, Artur Aveiro stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dário Severo came out of the goal and Artur Aveiro tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Dário Severo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Marco Moura in the 11th minute of the match. In the 14th minute Marco Moura shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dário Severo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Sula's Heitor Quintanilha suffered a sore thigh after 16 minutes and couldn't finish the game. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Aparício Candal during the 16th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 17th minute, Aparício Candal hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 20th minute, Afonso Rijo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sula's supporters rose to their feet, but Afonso Rijo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Dário Severo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Artur Aveiro's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Dário Severo read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 21st minute of play. After a rather tough play, Sporting CP's Claudemiro Raposo got a free kick in the 28th minute. Olívio Fidalgo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 29th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Bruno Cruz kicked well hit freekick during the 30th minute of the match. Aquilino Veríssimo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Júlio Vides, who was totally free with the ball in the 36th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 41st minute, Amílcar Macedo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sporting CP's supporters rose to their feet, but Amílcar Macedo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Aquilino Veríssimo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick.

Dário Severo made a fantastic save in the 52nd minute, when Artur Aveiro sent off a good shot on target. When Claudemiro Raposo fell near the penalty area in the 58th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sporting CP's protests and gave Claudemiro Raposo a yellow card for diving instead. Claudemiro Raposo kicked well hit freekick during the 58th minute of the match. Artur Aveiro could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 60th minute of the match, but Dário Severo made a huge save. In the 67th minute, Artur Aveiro left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Sula fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. A collision led to Sporting CP getting a freekick after 72 minutes play. Aldaír Vilaverde hit a great ball. Artur Aveiro sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Marco Moura hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. In the 91st minute Amílcar Macedo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Aquilino Veríssimo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Sula's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.