League Play-Off

Estadio Populo
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Gilbert Askberg made the kick off which started today's match. After a rather tough play, SL Benfica's Gilbert Askberg got a free kick in the 8th minute. Gilbert Askberg might have been able to make a better finish in the 9th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Basílio Guimarães. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Gilbert Askberg ran back to his position shaking his head. Basílio Guimarães took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gilbert Askberg, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 11 minutes into the match, SL Benfica's David Paiva sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Basílio Guimarães narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gilbert Askberg in the 13th minute of play forced SC Populo's goalkeeper Basílio Guimarães to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 20 minutes into the match, SC Populo's goal looked a bit too open when Gustaf Hammarberg came free, but Basílio Guimarães reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Basílio Guimarães took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gilbert Askberg, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gilbert Askberg in the 25th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Basílio Guimarães saved SC Populo from getting behind. 25 minutes into the game, Salvador Sequeira was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. SC Populo's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave SL Benfica the free kick. Salvador Sequeira kicked well hit freekick during the 26th minute of the match. When SL Benfica's Gilbert Askberg in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SC Populo's goalie prevented a goal. The supporters of SC Populo booed when SL Benfica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 33 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rui Guarda didn't get a good kick on the ball. Salvador Sequeira was shown his second yellow card after 46 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. In the 47th minute, Salvador Sequeira hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-2 lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Tobias Águas stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. SC Populo's Basílio Guimarães played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gilbert Askberg in the 53rd minute of play. Gilbert Askbergs short, quick shot in the 54thth minute got Basílio Guimarães to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. When SL Benfica's Gilbert Askberg in the 61st minute got a chance for a shot 61st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SC Populo's goalie prevented a goal. Basílio Guimarães showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gustaf Hammarberg in the 65th minute of the match. David Paiva fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 74th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Basílio Guimarães having to interfere. Tobias Águas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 86th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The supporters of SC Populo booed when SL Benfica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 87 match minutes in a wonderful position. Carlos Ribeiro didn't get a good kick on the ball. Basílio Guimarães made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gilbert Askberg in the 93rd minute of play. André Barros made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Humberto Vilhena in the 96th minute of play. A collision led to SL Benfica getting a freekick after 96 minutes play. Nuno Oliveira hit a great ball. The SC Populo fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. SL Benfica were clearly better and deserved to take the win.