League Play-Off

Estadio Loivo
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Abel Soares started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 2nd minute, Tomás Faria hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Francisco Nascimento in the 4th minute of play forced Gajao FC's goalkeeper Xavier Pereira to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 14th minute, Óscar Azevedo left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Loivo fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. If Abel Soares had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 20th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 21 minutes into the game, David Tavares was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Gajao FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Loivo the free kick. Xavier Pereira showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Francisco Nascimento in the 22nd minute of the match. Carlos Castro's late challenge caught a Gajao FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Carlos Castro helped the player get up and apologised. After 25 played minutes Loivo got a freekick which was hit by Carlos Castro. 25 minutes into the match, Gajao FC's Júlio Lisboa broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. When Óscar Azevedo came up free with the goalie in the 28th minute, the Loivo 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 Óscar Azevedo couldn't finish the play. The supporters of Loivo booed when Gajao FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 34 match minutes in a wonderful position. Augusto Moniz didn't get a good kick on the ball. 40 minutes into the game, Francisco Nascimento recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Xavier Pereira. Francisco Nascimento showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-0. A collision led to Gajao FC getting a freekick after 44 minutes play. Rodrigo Matos hit a great ball. Óscar Azevedo made a well adjusted shot against goal in the 48thth minute coming free in front of the goal, but Xavier Pereira would not let the ball come through at any expense and made a nice save by the left post. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Francisco Nascimento to make the kick off. After 69 played minutes Loivo got a freekick which was hit by Hugo Pereira. During the 71st minute of the match David Tavares completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave David Tavares a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. 79 minutes into the game, one of Loivo:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Daniel Teixeira had in the 82ndth minute some difficulties stopping Júlio Lisboa's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. The excitement rose when Gajao FC's Júlio Lisboa after 82 played minutes turned away three defenders near the goal, and after that shot a ball that was too difficult for Loivo's goalkeeper to hold. Score! 2-1. Rodrigo Matos received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Daniel Teixeira tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Hugo Pereira hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. If Abel Soares had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After some careless play in the Loivo defense, Rodrigo Matos kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Daniel Teixeira. The Loivo fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Daniel Teixeira should have stopped the shot.