League Play-Off

Palheira
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Júlio Macedo got the match started through his kick off. In a very dangerous position, a player in SC Rabaca fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 5th minute. Penalty! 11 minutes into the match, Palheira FC's goal looked a bit too open when Júlio Macedo came free, but Gaspar Nogueira reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Júlio Macedo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gaspar Nogueira having to interfere. Basílio Esteves fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gaspar Nogueira having to interfere. Raul Paiva showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rui Cruz in the 21st minute of the match. Gaspar Nogueira showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Júlio Macedo, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. SC Rabaca's Cristóvão Simões got a good chance for a goal in the 26th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Cláudio Porto during the 28th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Palheira FC's Gaspar Nogueira played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristóvão Simões in the 32nd minute of play. Gaspar Nogueira took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristóvão Simões, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Cristóvão Simões sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 38th minute, Marco Cunha 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. Raul Paiva showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rui Cruz, who was totally free with the ball in the 42nd minute. The supporters of Palheira FC booed when SC Rabaca was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 42 match minutes in a wonderful position. João Fontes didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Marco Cunha had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Raul Paiva made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rui Cruz in the 46th minute of play. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rui Cruz in the 54th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Raul Paiva saved SC Rabaca from getting behind. In the 56th minute, Rui Cruz ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Raul Paiva was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-0. Rui Cruz fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 60th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Raul Paiva having to interfere. Gaspar Nogueira made a fantastic save in the 63rd minute, when Cristóvão Simões sent off a good shot on target. If Rui Cruz had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 67th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Júlio Macedo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 73rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 74th match minute, Palheira FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Óscar Sousa to maneuver through the defense. Marco Cunha fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Raul Paiva having to interfere. The audience thought a goal was coming when Cristóvão Simões got free with Gaspar Nogueira in the 87th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Heitor Neto hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. After having played for 92 minutes, Marco Cunha managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Palheira FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Marco Cunha was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Palheira FC's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.