League Play-Off

Estádio Menezes
Spectators: 33 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Mandassaia EC's Luís Fábio de Azevedo 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. Rubens da Costa recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 4th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a rather tough play, Menezes AD's Duda Ribeiro got a free kick in the 7th minute. Luís Fábio de Azevedo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Luís Eduardo Barros having to interfere. Luís Fábio de Azevedo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 24th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Luís Fábio de Azevedo struck a weak shot in the 26th minute. Luís Eduardo Barros didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mandassaia EC. If Rubens da Costa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rubens da Costa blasted a shot towards the goal in the 33rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Francisco Barros having to make a save. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Elano Linhares in the 35th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Luís Eduardo Barros prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Menezes AD's Luís Eduardo Barros played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luís Fábio de Azevedo in the 39th minute of play. Elano Linhares's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Luís Eduardo Barros read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 41st minute of play. Menezes AD's Rubens da Costa got a good chance for a goal in the 44th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. If Rubens da Costa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 45th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Francisco Barros came out of the goal in the 54th minute to try and stop a shot by Menezes AD's Rubens da Costa. But to his dismay, Rubens da Costa quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. The Menezes AD fans' excitement grew in the 58th match minute when Menezes AD's Rubens da Costa looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 2-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Vicente Berger's late challenge caught a Mandassaia EC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Vicente Berger helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Mandassaia EC booed when Menezes AD was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 61 match minutes in a wonderful position. Vicente Berger didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Elano Linhares had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 72 played minutes Menezes AD got a freekick which was hit by Duda Ribeiro. A collision led to Menezes AD getting a freekick after 80 minutes play. Armindo Vale hit a great ball. Mandassaia EC's Francisco Barros played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rubens da Costa in the 82nd minute of play. If Rubens da Costa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Rubens da Costa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Luís Eduardo Barros stood somewhat misplaced when Luís Fábio de Azevedo came free in front of goal and shot 2-1 to the left of him in the 90 minute. In the 94th minute Luís Fábio de Azevedo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Luís Eduardo Barros saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 96th minute Mandassaia EC were awarded a corner. Nelsinho Oliveira went to the cornerflag to take it. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Menezes AD fully deserved thier win.