League Play-Off

Torre
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Rui Vaz made the kick off which started today's match. After a defensive mix-up in Torre FC's zone, Rui Vaz stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nuno Lopes came out of the goal and Rui Vaz tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Paulo Monteiro sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Joaquim Pedroso made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vítor Rodrigues in the 9th minute of play. Paulo Esteves succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 1-0 in the 14th playminute. Nuno Lopes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rui Vaz, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vítor Rodrigues in the 21st minute of play forced Almeara FC's goalkeeper Joaquim Pedroso to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Torre FC's Vítor Rodrigues in the 25th minute got a chance for a shot 25th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Almeara FC's goalie prevented a goal. In the 26th minute the ball was on its way in behind Torre FC's goalkeeper Nuno Lopes, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Paulo Monteiro in the 29th minute of play forced Torre FC's goalkeeper Nuno Lopes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 30 minutes of play, Torre FC's Paulo Esteves made it 2-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Joaquim Pedroso was left in no man's land by his defense there! Vítor Rodrigues received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 34th minute. Joaquim Pedroso tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Paulo Esteves's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Joaquim Pedroso firmly grabbed it by the left post. In the 46th minute, Raul Ferro hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Vítor Rodrigues to make the kick off. Almeara FC's Joaquim Pedroso played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Paulo Esteves in the 53rd minute of play. In the 58th minute, Raul Ferro hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Joaquim Pedroso showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Paulo Esteves in the 59th minute of the match. Paulo Monteiro in the 62ndth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Nuno Lopes, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Vítor Rodrigues might have been able to make a better finish in the 65th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Joaquim Pedroso. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Vítor Rodrigues ran back to his position shaking his head. Paulo Esteves received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 71st minute. Joaquim Pedroso tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Almeara FC getting a freekick after 75 minutes play. Raul Ferro hit a great ball. In the 76th minute of the match José Fernandes sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Joaquim Pedroso skillfully saved the ball. After having played for 79 minutes, Rui Vaz managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Almeara FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rui Vaz was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 81st minute, Paulo Monteiro managed to get in a good position for a shot. Almeara FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Paulo Monteiro was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Nuno Lopes breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Paulo Monteiro struck a weak shot in the 83rd minute. Nuno Lopes didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Almeara FC. Torre FC's defense didn't have a chance, in the 85th minute, when Rui Vaz scored to the left of an out of position Nuno Lopes, making the score, 3-1. Joaquim Pedroso showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Paulo Esteves, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Torre FC had won after a very even match.