League Play-Off

Estadio Botelha
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Botelha's David Pinheiro 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. Nicolau Aragão hit a great freekick 4 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Cardosos FC's zone, David Pinheiro stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Pedro França came out of the goal and David Pinheiro tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 8th minute, David Pinheiro managed to get in a good position for a shot. Botelha's supporters rose to their feet, but David Pinheiro was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Pedro França breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 13th minute David Pinheiro shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pedro França saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Armindo Bento sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rui Maia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Reinaldo Arruda in the 22nd minute of play. If Armindo Bento had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 29 minutes, David Pinheiro managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Botelha's supporters crossed their fingers, but David Pinheiro was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Rui Maia took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Reinaldo Arruda, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a little luck, Cardosos FC's Pedro França got control of the ball when André Pinheiro tried to sneak it across the goal line. After having played for 36 minutes, Armindo Bento managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cardosos FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Armindo Bento was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Pedro França showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from David Pinheiro, who was totally free with the ball in the 40th minute. 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 players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Reinaldo Arruda was the one to do the kick off. With a couple of smart ball manuevers David Pinheiro in the 51st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Pedro França saved Cardosos FC from getting behind. If Reinaldo Arruda had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rui Maia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Reinaldo Arruda, who was totally free with the ball in the 58th minute. Botelha's Rui Maia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Reinaldo Arruda in the 64th minute of play. David Pinheiro received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 65th minute. Pedro França tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 70 minutes into the match, Cardosos FC's goal looked a bit too open when David Pinheiro came free, but Pedro França reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee felt a red card was in order, 72 minutes into the game, when André Lima put in a rough tackle. In the 71st minute, one of Botelha:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Botelha. Pedro França stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of André Pinheiro's shot from short distance in the 78th minute. If André Pinheiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Reinaldo Arruda had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 91st minute, Armindo Bento left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Cardosos FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. After having played for 94 minutes, Armindo Bento managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cardosos FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Armindo Bento was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Reinaldo Arruda had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 98th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The Cardosos FC players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.