League Play-Off

Ponta Do Pargo
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Ponta Team's Rafael Neves 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. Cândido Coelho made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Hélder Sardinha in the 9th minute of play. Rafael Neves sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, SC Barrantes's Elias Moutinho got a free kick in the 12th minute. Manuel Matos showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rafael Neves in the 14th minute of the match. Hélder Sardinha recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 18th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Pedro Nunes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 23rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Manuel Matos having to interfere. Rafael Neves received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 24th minute. Manuel Matos tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Manuel Matos showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rafael Neves, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. Aprígio Lessa charged in rather forcefully in the 31st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Aprígio Lessa the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to SC Barrantes getting a freekick after 31 minutes play. Aprígio Lessa hit a great ball. After a defensive mix-up in SC Barrantes's zone, Rafael Neves stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Manuel Matos came out of the goal and Rafael Neves tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 34 minutes into the match, SC Barrantes's goalkeeper Manuel Matos had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Abel Anjos. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Rafael Neves in the 38th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Manuel Matos prevented the ball from getting in the gole. SC Barrantes's Manuel Matos played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rafael Neves in the 40th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 42nd minute, Rafael Neves managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ponta Team's supporters rose to their feet, but Rafael Neves was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Manuel Matos breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Rafael Neves fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 48th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Manuel Matos having to interfere. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Hélder Sardinha was the one to do the kick off. Rafael Neves sent away a hard shot on goal in the 52nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 57th minute, Ponta Team's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Hélder Sardinha fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. After a rather tough play, Ponta Team's Manuel Monteiro got a free kick in the 58th minute. In the 63rd minute the ball was on its way in behind SC Barrantes's goalkeeper Manuel Matos, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. When the match clock showed 66 minutes, the score became 1-0 when Abel Anjos sped through SC Barrantes's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Manuel Matos. 69 minutes into the game, Alexandre Ribeiro was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ponta Team's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave SC Barrantes the free kick. Alexandre Ribeiro kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. Manuel Matos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rafael Neves in the 72nd minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Xavier Antunes during the 73rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, SC Barrantes's Xavier Antunes got a free kick in the 73rd minute. If Pedro Nunes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 77th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Abel Anjos struck a weak shot in the 79th minute. Manuel Matos didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ponta Team. When Ponta Team's Rafael Neves in the 80th minute got a chance for a shot 80th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SC Barrantes's goalie prevented a goal. The audience was convinced that Abel Anjos's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Manuel Matos was relentless in the 84th minute of the game. In the 85th minute Rafael Neves shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Manuel Matos saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 86 played minutes SC Barrantes got a freekick which was hit by Celso Queiroga. Abel Anjos received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Manuel Matos tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 90th minute Abel Anjos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Manuel Matos saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Manuel Matos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rafael Neves in the 91st minute of play. During the 92nd minute of the match Aprígio Lessa completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Aprígio Lessa a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. Ponta Team were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of SC Barrantes for a fine match.