League Play-Off

Estadio Cruzeiro
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) João Campos made the kick off and thus started the match. When Fernando Paiva came up free with the goalie in the 10th minute, the Cruzeiro FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Fernando Paiva couldn't finish the play. 12 minutes into the match, Caetano Madureira notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Cruzeiro FC's Joaquim Gonçalves. Joaquim Gonçalves was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Sílvio Taborda recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 17th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Gil Coutinho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Nuno Sarmento made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from João Campos in the 20th minute of play. 22 minutes into the match, Monte da Lua's goalkeeper Nuno Sarmento had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Fernando Paiva. 23 minutes into the match, Monte da Lua's goal looked a bit too open when João Campos came free, but Nuno Sarmento reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Monte da Lua's Nuno Sarmento played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by João Campos in the 26th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by João Campos in the 28th minute of play forced Monte da Lua's goalkeeper Nuno Sarmento to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If João Campos had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 29th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 35 played minutes Cruzeiro FC got a freekick which was hit by Alexandre Aleixo. A collision led to Cruzeiro FC getting a freekick after 38 minutes play. José Costa hit a great ball. José Costa took the ball and in the 47 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Nuno Sarmento. Nuno Sarmento dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The wind increased when Caetano Madureira made the kick off in the second half. After a defensive mix-up in Cruzeiro FC's zone, Gil Coutinho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Joaquim Gonçalves came out of the goal and Gil Coutinho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Fernando Paiva in the 59th minute of play forced Monte da Lua's goalkeeper Nuno Sarmento to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Cruzeiro FC's zone, Gil Coutinho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Joaquim Gonçalves came out of the goal and Gil Coutinho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Caetano Madureira who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 63rdth minute tested the skills of Joaquim Gonçalves when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Cruzeiro FC's Joaquim Gonçalves played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Caetano Madureira in the 67th minute of play. Fernando Paiva struck a weak shot in the 73rd minute. Nuno Sarmento didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Cruzeiro FC. Nuno Sarmento took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Fernando Paiva, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Monte da Lua's Gil Coutinho got a free kick in the 75th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by João Campos in the 78th minute of play forced Monte da Lua's goalkeeper Nuno Sarmento to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gil Coutinho kicked well hit freekick during the 80th minute of the match. Cruzeiro FC's Rafael Maia got a good chance for a goal in the 81st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 83 minutes of play, Cruzeiro FC's Fernando Paiva made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Nuno Sarmento was left in no man's land by his defense there! Nuno Sarmento took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from João Campos, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Nuno Sarmento made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Fernando Paiva in the 95th minute of play. João Campos received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 97th minute. Nuno Sarmento tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Cruzeiro FC's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.