League Play-Off

Arena Cruz
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Haroldo Custódio started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Haroldo Custódio received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 6th minute. Paulo Renato Varela tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Haroldo Custódio did some fancy footwork in front of goal and succeeded to deceive the defenders so he could slam the ball in 1-0 to the left of a surprised Paulo Renato Varela 11 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Adelino Meira in the 17th minute of play forced Botafogo's goalkeeper Paulo Renato Varela to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Botafogo's zone, Adelino Meira stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Paulo Renato Varela came out of the goal and Adelino Meira tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Paulo Renato Varela took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Haroldo Custódio, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Umberto Batista showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cícero Pitta in the 25th minute of the match. The long shot by Ernani Dantas in the 27th minute really tested Paulo Renato Varela's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Dorival Barros charged in rather forcefully in the 29th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Dorival Barros the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Botafogo's Dorival Barros got a free kick in the 29th minute. Cícero Pitta scored 1-1 in the 33rd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Umberto Batista, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. When Atlético Cruz's Haroldo Custódio in the 38th minute got a chance for a shot 38th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Botafogo's goalie prevented a goal. Haroldo Custódio sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Eurico Capixaba fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Paulo Renato Varela having to interfere. The score stood at 1-1 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cícero Pitta to strike the kick off in the second half. Paulo Renato Varela made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Haroldo Custódio in the 53rd minute of play. The supporters of Atlético Cruz booed when Botafogo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 55 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sydney Velloso didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 57th match minute, Botafogo was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dorival Barros to maneuver through the defense. In the 59th minute Haroldo Custódio shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Paulo Renato Varela saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Cícero Pitta during the 59th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 60th match minute, Botafogo was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cícero Pitta to maneuver through the defense. Paulo Renato Varela didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Haroldo Custódio went, in the 62nd minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. Haroldo Custódio blasted a shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Paulo Renato Varela having to make a save. After 66 played minutes Atlético Cruz got a freekick which was hit by Eurico Capixaba. Paulo Renato Varela showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Haroldo Custódio in the 69th minute of the match. When Hamílton Freitas fell near the penalty area in the 71st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Botafogo's protests and gave Hamílton Freitas a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Botafogo getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Hamílton Freitas hit a great ball. The audience was convinced that Haroldo Custódio's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Paulo Renato Varela was relentless in the 76th minute of the game. Umberto Batista made an important save on a dangerous shot by Robinho Gerber in the 78th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Haroldo Custódio in the 84th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Paulo Renato Varela saved Botafogo from getting behind. Paulo Renato Varela didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Haroldo Custódio went, in the 86th minute, to the upper right corner, 3-1 was the resulting score. Haroldo Custódio struck a weak shot in the 92nd minute. Paulo Renato Varela didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Atlético Cruz. After a defensive mix-up in Botafogo's zone, Ernani Dantas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Paulo Renato Varela came out of the goal and Ernani Dantas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. There was no doubt that Atlético Cruz were the better team. Atlético Cruz's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.