League Play-Off

Espicandeira
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Marco Borges made the kick off which started today's match. Alberto Sá could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 4th minute of the match, but Pedro Assunção made a huge save. Alberto Sá recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 7th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Alberto Sá received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. Pedro Assunção tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Alberto Sá fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pedro Assunção having to interfere. 16 minutes into the match, SC Espicandeira's goal looked a bit too open when António Nascimento came free, but Hugo Lopes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alberto Sá sent away a hard shot on goal in the 19th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. If Alberto Sá had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 29th minute Marco Borges shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pedro Assunção saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by António Nascimento in the 30th minute of play forced SC Espicandeira's goalkeeper Hugo Lopes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Emílio Melo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 32nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hugo Lopes having to interfere. If Alberto Sá had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 36th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to SC Covao getting a freekick after 38 minutes play. Gil Amaral hit a great ball. The audience cheered loudly when Humberto Branco's long shot in the 39th minute became 1-0 when the ball went to the left of and passed Pedro Assunção. António Nascimento received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Hugo Lopes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Alberto Sá might have been able to make a better finish in the 46th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Pedro Assunção. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Alberto Sá ran back to his position shaking his head.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Emílio Melo made a kick off. Rafael Lopes charged in rather forcefully in the 51st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Rafael Lopes the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 51 played minutes SC Espicandeira got a freekick which was hit by Rafael Lopes. Emílio Melo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 58th minute, Marco Borges 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. Sandro Pinto kicked well hit freekick during the 58th minute of the match. After having played for 60 minutes, Alberto Sá managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SC Espicandeira's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alberto Sá was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Marco Borges sent away a hard shot on goal in the 61st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Alberto Sá sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Marco Borges fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 64th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pedro Assunção having to interfere. António Nascimento received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 68th minute. Hugo Lopes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 73rd minute, António Lima hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Emílio Melo came up free with the goalie in the 75th minute, the SC Covao 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 Emílio Melo couldn't finish the play. Pedro Assunção showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alberto Sá in the 82nd minute of the match. When SC Espicandeira's Alberto Sá in the 85th minute got a chance for a shot 85th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SC Covao's goalie prevented a goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Emílio Melo in the 93rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Hugo Lopes saved SC Espicandeira from getting behind. After 96 played minutes SC Espicandeira got a freekick which was hit by Marco Borges. SC Espicandeira's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.