League Play-Off

Estadio Alverca
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Carlos Antunes made the kick off which started today's match. Emanuel Mendes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from João Barbosa, who was totally free with the ball in the 3rd minute. If Afonso Baptista had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 4th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 7th minute Afonso Baptista shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lourenço Miranda saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 12 minutes into the match, Corujeiro FC's goal looked a bit too open when Vasco Tavares came free, but Emanuel Mendes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a little luck, Corujeiro FC's Emanuel Mendes got control of the ball when Francisco Trindade tried to sneak it across the goal line. Alverca's Diamantino Delgado shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 25th minute of play. The shot was stopped by Emanuel Mendes but with some difficulty. The audience thought a goal was coming when Francisco Trindade got free with Emanuel Mendes in the 26th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vasco Tavares in the 28th minute of play forced Corujeiro FC's goalkeeper Emanuel Mendes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 29th match minute, Corujeiro FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tomás Leal to maneuver through the defense. Afonso Baptista recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 36th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 37th match minute, Alverca was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by João Barbosa to maneuver through the defense. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Vasco Tavares to make the kick off. 51 minutes into the game, Sandro Assunção was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Alverca's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Corujeiro FC the free kick. In the 51st minute, Sandro Assunção hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 61st minute Francisco Trindade shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Emanuel Mendes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 65th minute the ball was on its way in behind Corujeiro FC's goalkeeper Emanuel Mendes, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 83 minutes, Cristiano Amaro mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Alverca and the Corujeiro FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Corujeiro FC booed when Alverca was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 83 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cristiano Amaro didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Carlos Antunes in the 87th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Lourenço Miranda prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 88 minutes into the game, Corujeiro FC's Afonso Baptista nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Lourenço Miranda made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. 95 minutes into the match, Corujeiro FC's goal looked a bit too open when Vasco Tavares came free, but Emanuel Mendes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alexandre Amaral's late challenge caught a Alverca's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Alexandre Amaral helped the player get up and apologised. Alexandre Amaral hit a great freekick 95 minutes into the match. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Corujeiro FC walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.