League Play-Off

Taiao
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Gil Teixeira made the kick off which started today's match. Joaquim Freitas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 4th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pedro Machado having to interfere. After 6 played minutes Taiao FC got a freekick which was hit by Fernando Mendes. In the 7th minute of the match Bruno Maia shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Rogério Fernandes showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. In the 10th minute, Fernando Mendes hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Alfredo Viana's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Rogério Fernandes read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 17th minute of play. 21 minutes into the match, Taiao FC's goal looked a bit too open when Alfredo Viana came free, but Rogério Fernandes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 23rd minute, Alfredo Viana managed to get in a good position for a shot. SC Espinhaco's supporters rose to their feet, but Alfredo Viana was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Rogério Fernandes breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 28 minutes into the match, SC Espinhaco's goalkeeper Pedro Machado had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by António Moura. Rogério Fernandes showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gabriel Rodrigues in the 45th minute of the match. 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.

In the 51st match minute, Taiao FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adelino Pires to maneuver through the defense. Gil Teixeira 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 Moura fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 58th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pedro Machado having to interfere. 62 minutes into the match, Taiao FC's goal looked a bit too open when Gil Teixeira came free, but Rogério Fernandes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When António Moura came up free with the goalie in the 64th minute, the Taiao 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 António Moura couldn't finish the play. António Moura struck a weak shot in the 66th minute. Pedro Machado didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Taiao FC. In the 67th minute, Rui Castro ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Pedro Machado was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-0. With his leg Rogério Fernandes managed to avoid a goal in the 73rdth minute, when SC Espinhaco's Alfredo Viana fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. António Pires's late challenge caught a SC Espinhaco's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. António Pires helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Taiao FC getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. Fernando Mendes hit a great ball. After having played for 80 minutes, Rui Castro managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Taiao FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rui Castro was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Taiao FC's Rui Castro in the 83rd minute got a chance for a shot 83rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SC Espinhaco's goalie prevented a goal. If António Moura had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 84th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Rui Castro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rogério Fernandes made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alfredo Viana in the 88th minute. Rogério Fernandes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gil Teixeira in the 92nd minute of play. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Taiao FC fans cheered their team off the field, for while SC Espinhaco had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.