League Play-Off

Azeiteiros
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Alfredo Coimbra started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. If Adalberto Festas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 6th minute the ball was on its way in behind SL Benfica's goalkeeper Julião Mendes, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. If Alfredo Coimbra had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 7th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Américo Moura hit a great freekick 9 minutes into the match. Julião Mendes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alfredo Coimbra, who was totally free with the ball in the 13th minute. Adalberto Festas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lourenço Coimbra having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Alfredo Coimbra in the 28th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julião Mendes saved SL Benfica from getting behind. Julião Mendes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alfredo Coimbra in the 31st minute of play. Catarino Gaspar struck a weak shot in the 35th minute. Julião Mendes didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Azeiteiros. Alfredo Coimbra might have been able to make a better finish in the 36th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Julião Mendes. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Alfredo Coimbra ran back to his position shaking his head. If Alfredo Coimbra had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Catarino Gaspar's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Julião Mendes firmly grabbed it by the left post. With a little luck, SL Benfica's Julião Mendes got control of the ball when Catarino Gaspar tried to sneak it across the goal line. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The wind increased when Isac Caldas made the kick off in the second half. SL Benfica's Julião Mendes played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Catarino Gaspar in the 54th minute of play. 56 minutes had been played when some careless play by SL Benfica's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Gabriel Leite was slow to take the kick. During this time Azeiteiros's players had a chance to rest. Azeiteiros's Gabriel Leite was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Julião Mendes in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. After 59 played minutes Azeiteiros got a freekick which was hit by Catarino Gaspar. Alfredo Coimbra sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Julião Mendes stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Alfredo Coimbra's shot from short distance in the 69th minute. 75 minutes into the match, SL Benfica's goal looked a bit too open when Catarino Gaspar came free, but Julião Mendes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alfredo Coimbra in the 77th minute of play forced SL Benfica's goalkeeper Julião Mendes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Alfredo Coimbra had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 82nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Julião Mendes showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alfredo Coimbra in the 88th minute of the match. Catarino Gaspar sent away a hard shot on goal in the 90th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. If Alfredo Coimbra had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Azeiteiros's Catarino Gaspar got a good chance for a goal in the 95th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. SL Benfica succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Azeiteiros had controlled the match.