League Play-Off

Estádio Freire
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The supporters of Freire booed when Instituição Mercosul was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luís Guilherme Freire didn't get a good kick on the ball. Gilson Simão was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 10th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Wesley de Godoi. In the 14th minute the ball was on its way in behind Freire's goalkeeper Cristiano Alvarenga, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Frédson Mendonça in the 15th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Cristiano Alvarenga prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Flávio Passos lost his temper 21 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. Flávio Passos hit a great freekick 21 minutes into the match. Freire's Hélio Tasso got a good chance for a goal in the 22nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The audience thought a goal was coming when Rodriguinho Furlan got free with Gilson Simão in the 30th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Afonso Salgado might have been able to make a better finish in the 31st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Cristiano Alvarenga. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Afonso Salgado ran back to his position shaking his head. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rodriguinho Furlan in the 37th minute of play forced Instituição Mercosul's goalkeeper Gilson Simão to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 39 minutes into the match, Instituição Mercosul's goalkeeper Gilson Simão had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Enéas Sousa. Through an outstanding action, after 40 minutes, Gilson Simão successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. After 48 played minutes Instituição Mercosul got a freekick which was hit by Frédson Mendonça. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Afonsinho Hermes stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Afonsinho Hermes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Cristiano Alvarenga tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The crowd rose to their feet as Afonso Salgado kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Cristiano Alvarenga. That made the score 0-1 in the 56 minute of play. 63 minutes into the match, Instituição Mercosul's goal looked a bit too open when Paulo Cerezo came free, but Gilson Simão reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 65 minutes into the game, Freire's Paulo Cerezo nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Gilson Simão made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Instituição Mercosul's Gilson Simão played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Enéas Sousa in the 67th minute of play. A collision led to Instituição Mercosul getting a freekick after 68 minutes play. Romário Lago hit a great ball. In the 74th minute, Afonsinho Hermes 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. When Paulo Cerezo fell near the penalty area in the 75th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Freire's protests and gave Paulo Cerezo a yellow card for diving instead. Rodriguinho Furlan kicked well hit freekick during the 76th minute of the match. Gilson Simão showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Paulo Cerezo in the 80th minute of the match. Gilson Simão showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rodriguinho Furlan, who was totally free with the ball in the 83rd minute. 85 minutes into the match, Instituição Mercosul's goal looked a bit too open when Rodriguinho Furlan came free, but Gilson Simão reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Afonsinho Hermes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Cristiano Alvarenga tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Gilson Simão made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Enéas Sousa in the 90th minute of play. Instituição Mercosul succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Freire had controlled the match.