League Play-Off

Arena Carazão
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Espinha's Cristiano Prestes started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Espinha's defense didn't have a chance, in the 2nd minute, when Carlos Fernando Maia scored to the left of an out of position Paulo José Bezerra, making the score, 1-0. Rodolfo de Salles kicked well hit freekick during the 14th minute of the match. If Anísio da Cunha had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Cristiano Prestes scored 1-1 in the 20th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Armandinho Lago, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Carapicuíba FC's Armandinho Lago played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristiano Prestes in the 24th minute of play. Mané da Silva kicked well hit freekick during the 25th minute of the match. Espinha's Cristiano Prestes got a good chance for a goal in the 31st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 32 minutes into the match, Espinha's Anísio da Cunha sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Armandinho Lago narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Agenor Bittencourt's late challenge caught a Carapicuíba FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Agenor Bittencourt helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Espinha getting a freekick after 35 minutes play. Agenor Bittencourt hit a great ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Anísio da Cunha in the 39th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Armandinho Lago saved Carapicuíba FC from getting behind. Armandinho Lago made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristiano Prestes in the 41st minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Armandinho Faustino during the 44th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Armandinho Faustino hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Carlos Fernando Maia to make the kick off. Cristiano Prestes's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Armandinho Lago read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 53rd minute of play. When Anísio da Cunha came up free with the goalie in the 62nd minute, the Espinha 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 Anísio da Cunha couldn't finish the play. In the 64th minute, Cristiano Prestes reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Armandinho Lago. The goal made the score 1-2. After having played for 68 minutes, Anísio da Cunha managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Espinha's supporters crossed their fingers, but Anísio da Cunha was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 72 minutes in the game, Cristiano Prestes fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Armandinho Lago having to interfere. After some careless play in the Carapicuíba FC defense, Anísio da Cunha kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Armandinho Lago. The Carapicuíba FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Armandinho Lago should have stopped the shot. After a rather tough play, Espinha's Agenor Bittencourt got a free kick in the 84th minute. Anísio da Cunha received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Armandinho Lago came out and tried to block the shot, but Anísio da Cunha slotted it home off the left post making it 1-4 in the 87th minute. Víktor de Azevedo took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 90th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Paulo José Bezerra. Espinha's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Clemente Corrêa's late challenge caught a Carapicuíba FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Clemente Corrêa helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Espinha getting a freekick after 92 minutes play. Clemente Corrêa hit a great ball.