League Play-Off

Bailao
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Adalberto Castro made the kick off which started today's match. When Francisco Lopes fell near the penalty area in the 5th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Biggest FC's protests and gave Francisco Lopes a yellow card for diving instead. In the 5th match minute, Biggest FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Francisco Lopes to maneuver through the defense. After 7 played minutes, SC Bailao's Cristiano Madruga shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper António Noronha came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in SC Bailao reached it. After having played for 12 minutes, Gil Aires managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Biggest FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Gil Aires was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Miguel Santos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alexandre Quirino in the 15th minute of play. In the 20th minute, Francisco Lopes hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Miguel Santos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alexandre Quirino in the 22nd minute of play. In the 24th minute Adalberto Castro shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but António Noronha saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 26 minutes into the game, Alexandrino Leite cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. António Noronha was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After some fancy dribbling in the 30th minute, Alexandrino Leite managed to get in a good position for a shot. SC Bailao's supporters rose to their feet, but Alexandrino Leite was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. António Noronha breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The audience was convinced that Adalberto Castro's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but António Noronha was relentless in the 32nd minute of the game. Alexandrino Leite fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without António Noronha having to interfere. In the 39th minute Adalberto Castro shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but António Noronha saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Alexandre Quirino had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Gil Aires made a kick off. After a defensive mix-up in SC Bailao's zone, Alexandre Quirino stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Miguel Santos came out of the goal and Alexandre Quirino tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Gil Aires sent away a hard shot on goal in the 54th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. António Noronha took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alexandrino Leite, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Murilo Cesário was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 59 minutes into the match. António Noronha had in the 62ndth minute some difficulties stopping Cristiano Madruga's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Alexandrino Leite fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without António Noronha having to interfere. Cristiano França sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 74th minute the ball was on its way in behind SC Bailao's goalkeeper Miguel Santos, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 77 minutes into the match, SC Bailao's goal looked a bit too open when Gil Aires came free, but Miguel Santos reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cristiano França fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Miguel Santos having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alexandrino Leite in the 82nd minute of play forced Biggest FC's goalkeeper António Noronha to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 87th minute Alexandrino Leite shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but António Noronha saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The SC Bailao fans' excitement grew in the 89th match minute when SC Bailao's Alexandrino Leite looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 2-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Alexandrino Leite kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. Biggest FC's Gil Aires got a good chance for a goal in the 92nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. António Noronha showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alexandrino Leite, who was totally free with the ball in the 97th minute. SC Bailao's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.