League Play-Off

Estadio Esmolfe
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Raul Neto started the match with the kick off. Fernando Pinho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Fernando Pinho's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Mariano Bessa read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 9th minute of play. Fernando Pinho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mariano Bessa having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Esmolfe's zone, Fernando Pinho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mariano Bessa came out of the goal and Fernando Pinho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Miguel Borges hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. Malvar's defense didn't have a chance, in the 23rd minute, when Raul Neto scored to the left of an out of position Rodrigo Barros, making the score, 1-0. Rodrigo Barros made an important save on a dangerous shot by Amílcar Pinheiro in the 32nd minute. Mariano Bessa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from André Brito, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 40 played minutes Esmolfe got a freekick which was hit by Miguel Borges. Amílcar Pinheiro struck a weak shot in the 44th minute. Rodrigo Barros didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Esmolfe. Sérgio Araújo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 49th minute. Mariano Bessa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Fernando Pinho was the one to do the kick off. In the 53rd minute, Cristiano Santos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 54 minutes into the match, Malvar's Sérgio Araújo sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Mariano Bessa narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpected shot in the 60th minute by André Brito got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Fernando Pinho in the 63rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Mariano Bessa saved Esmolfe from getting behind. Mariano Bessa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Fernando Pinho, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. Sérgio Araújo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 65th minute. Mariano Bessa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Sérgio Araújo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mariano Bessa having to interfere. Fernando Pinho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 74th minute the ball was on its way in behind Malvar's goalkeeper Rodrigo Barros, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Malvar's Rodrigo Barros played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Raul Neto in the 78th minute of play. In the 82nd minute Fernando Pinho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mariano Bessa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rodrigo Barros showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Amílcar Pinheiro, who was totally free with the ball in the 87th minute. Rodrigo Barros took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Raul Neto, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Esmolfe's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.