League Play-Off

Rana
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Miguel Faria made the kick off which started today's match. If Cláudio Matos had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 5th minute Miguel Faria shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Manuel Nascimento saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cláudio Matos received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 10th minute. Ricardo Cardoso tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 14 minutes, Pedro Amaro managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SC Orvalhos's supporters crossed their fingers, but Pedro Amaro was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ricardo Cardoso made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sebastião Pinheiro in the 22nd minute of play. After a rather tough play, SC Orvalhos's Cláudio Matos got a free kick in the 24th minute. The audience was convinced that Cláudio Matos's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Ricardo Cardoso was relentless in the 26th minute of the game. After a rather tough play, Rana FC's Francisco Pinheiro got a free kick in the 27th minute. After 34 played minutes, SC Orvalhos's Hélder Figueiredo shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Ricardo Cardoso 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 Orvalhos reached it. After 37 played minutes SC Orvalhos got a freekick which was hit by Augusto Dantas. In the 37th minute of the match Vicente Cunha shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Manuel Nascimento showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. In the 41st minute, Cláudio Matos got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After a defensive mix-up in SC Orvalhos's zone, Vítor Branco stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Manuel Nascimento came out of the goal and Vítor Branco tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Ricardo Cardoso took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Pedro Amaro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Francisco Pinheiro charged in rather forcefully in the 46th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Francisco Pinheiro the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 46th match minute, Rana FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Francisco Pinheiro to maneuver through the defense. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Cláudio Matos was the one to do the kick off. 53 minutes into the game, Rui Trindade was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Rana FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave SC Orvalhos the free kick. After a rather tough play, Rana FC's Rui Trindade got a free kick in the 53rd minute. In the 58th match minute, Rana FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Francisco Pinheiro to maneuver through the defense. 59 minutes into the match, Pedro Amaro notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Rana FC's Ricardo Cardoso. Ricardo Cardoso was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Vítor Branco's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Manuel Nascimento read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 65th minute of play. Manuel Nascimento stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Vítor Branco's shot from short distance in the 69th minute. With his leg Ricardo Cardoso managed to avoid a goal in the 77thth minute, when SC Orvalhos's Pedro Amaro fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Francisco Pinheiro struck a weak shot in the 82nd minute. Manuel Nascimento didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rana FC. Manuel Nascimento showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vítor Branco, who was totally free with the ball in the 84th minute. Manuel Nascimento took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Vítor Branco, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Pedro Amaro recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 89th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 93rd minute of the match David Alves sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Ricardo Cardoso skillfully saved the ball. The Rana FC fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. SC Orvalhos were clearly better and deserved to take the win.