League Play-Off

Velhas
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Américo Machado got the match started through his kick off. Pedro Leiria could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 3rd minute of the match, but Tomás Pinto made a huge save. After 6 minutes of play, Velhas FC's Manuel Resende made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Tomás Pinto was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 13th minute, Daniel Soares ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Cândido Valente was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. After some fancy dribbling in the 25th minute, Daniel Soares managed to get in a good position for a shot. Izei FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Daniel Soares was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Cândido Valente breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Pedro Leiria received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 26th minute. Tomás Pinto tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rui Cunha in the 29th minute of play forced Velhas FC's goalkeeper Cândido Valente to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Manuel Resende kicked well hit freekick during the 29th minute of the match. With a little luck, Izei FC's Tomás Pinto got control of the ball when Pedro Leiria tried to sneak it across the goal line. The supporters of Izei FC booed when Velhas FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 34 match minutes in a wonderful position. Américo Magalhães didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Miguel Reis came up free with the goalie in the 35th minute, the Izei FC 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 Miguel Reis couldn't finish the play. Cândido Valente showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Soares in the 39th minute of the match. After having played for 40 minutes, Rui Cunha managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Izei FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rui Cunha was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Américo Machado received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Tomás Pinto tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Pedro Leiria sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Daniel Soares made a kick off. If Pedro Leiria had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Pedro Leiria in the 57th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tomás Pinto saved Izei FC from getting behind. After some fancy dribbling in the 60th minute, Pedro Leiria managed to get in a good position for a shot. Velhas FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Pedro Leiria was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tomás Pinto breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Cândido Valente made an important save on a dangerous shot by Rui Cunha in the 67th minute. After 67 minutes, Óscar Antunes mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Velhas FC and the Izei FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Óscar Antunes kicked well hit freekick during the 68th minute of the match. 69 minutes into the match, Daniel Soares dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Cândido Valente, 1-2. Américo Machado's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Tomás Pinto read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 75th minute of play. When Izei FC's Daniel Soares in the 78th minute got a chance for a shot 78th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Velhas FC's goalie prevented a goal. Miguel Reis hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. Velhas FC's Emanuel Moreira couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 80th minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Izei FC. In the 82nd minute Américo Machado shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tomás Pinto saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Américo Machado in the 90th minute of play forced Izei FC's goalkeeper Tomás Pinto to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With an all-out effort, Izei FC's Cândido Valente threw himself towards the right post 97 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Daniel Soares, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. The Izei FC supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Izei FC would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.