League Play-Off

GazetteZone
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Benedito Arruda took the kick off in the first half of the match. Xoio FC's João Paulo Correia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Benedito Arruda in the 8th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Benedito Arruda in the 8th minute of play forced Xoio FC's goalkeeper João Paulo Correia to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 11th minute, José Paulo Paiva fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of João Paulo Correia, passed just outside the right post. Dênis Nunes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Júlio Martins having to interfere. After having played for 23 minutes, José Paulo Paiva managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. The Gazette's supporters crossed their fingers, but José Paulo Paiva was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Júlio Martins made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dênis Nunes in the 25th minute of play. After 26 played minutes Xoio FC got a freekick which was hit by Natã Moreira. The crowd rose to their feet as The Gazette's José Paulo Paiva slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of João Paulo Correia. That made the score 1-1 after 28 minutes of play. If Nestor Lira had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 33 played minutes The Gazette got a freekick which was hit by Zé Paulo Brasil. Júlio Martins showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nestor Lira in the 37th minute of the match. João Paulo Correia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Benedito Arruda, who was totally free with the ball in the 42nd minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 47th minute, Benedito Arruda managed to get in a good position for a shot. The Gazette's supporters rose to their feet, but Benedito Arruda was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. João Paulo Correia breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Dênis Nunes stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling José Paulo Paiva in the 52nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck João Paulo Correia prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 53rd minute of the game, João Augusto Meirelles landed unfortunately after trying to head the ball, and pulled a muscle in the back, so badly that he had to leave the field. Edinho Gerber charged in rather forcefully in the 53rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Edinho Gerber the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Xoio FC's Edinho Gerber got a free kick in the 54th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Xoio FC's zone, José Paulo Paiva stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. João Paulo Correia came out of the goal and José Paulo Paiva tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by José Paulo Paiva in the 57th minute of play forced Xoio FC's goalkeeper João Paulo Correia to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 65 minutes, Benedito Lopez mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the The Gazette and the Xoio FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Benedito Arruda hit a great freekick 71 minutes into the match. Wiliam Bittencourt shot from long distance in the 72nd minute, but Júlio Martins was prepared and stopped the ball at the left post. After 73rd play minutes José Paulo Paiva shot 3-1, a short shot which went by João Paulo Correia and just under the crossbar into goal. If José Paulo Paiva had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to The Gazette getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Benedito Lopez hit a great ball. Dênis Nunes sent away a hard shot on goal in the 82nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. José Paulo Paiva received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 84th minute. João Paulo Correia tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If José Paulo Paiva had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 90th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Dênis Nunes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 94th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. The Gazette had won after a very even match.