League Play-Off

Estádio Itamauari
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Silvinho Duarte made the kick off which started today's match. In the 2nd minute, Eriberto Martins hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a defensive mix-up in Meriti SS's zone, Silvinho Duarte stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Frank Costa came out of the goal and Silvinho Duarte tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Gilberto Meirelles sent away a hard shot on goal in the 14th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of Meriti SS booed when Santa cruz fc was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 16 match minutes in a wonderful position. Silvinho Duarte didn't get a good kick on the ball. Percy Santos, 17 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. Chico Borges took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from César Braga, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Santa cruz fc's Chico Borges played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gilberto Meirelles in the 31st minute of play. Silvinho Duarte struck a weak shot in the 32nd minute. Frank Costa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Santa cruz fc. Santa cruz fc's Leonardo Teixeira pulled a muscle in his back after 33 minutes and couldn't finish the game. When Cristóvão de Moraes fell near the penalty area in the 33rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Meriti SS's protests and gave Cristóvão de Moraes a yellow card for diving instead. Cristóvão de Moraes hit a great freekick 34 minutes into the match. If Silvinho Duarte had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 41 minutes, Eriberto Martins managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Santa cruz fc's supporters crossed their fingers, but Eriberto Martins was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Silvinho Duarte charged in rather forcefully in the 46th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Silvinho Duarte the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 46 played minutes Santa cruz fc got a freekick which was hit by Silvinho Duarte. If César Braga had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 49th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Gilberto Meirelles made a kick off. César Braga sent away a hard shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Eriberto Martins fell near the penalty area in the 56th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Santa cruz fc's protests and gave Eriberto Martins a yellow card for diving instead. Eriberto Martins hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. The long shot by Percy Santos in the 57th minute really tested Chico Borges'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. Eriberto Martins struck a weak shot in the 59th minute. Frank Costa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Santa cruz fc. In the 62nd minute Gilberto Meirelles shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Chico Borges saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Gilberto Meirelles sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After some fancy dribbling in the 68th minute, Gilberto Meirelles managed to get in a good position for a shot. Meriti SS's supporters rose to their feet, but Gilberto Meirelles was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Chico Borges breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. César Braga sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When César Braga came up free with the goalie in the 73rd minute, the Meriti SS 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 César Braga couldn't finish the play. Santa cruz fc's Chico Borges proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 75th minute of the match, managed to save Santa cruz fc from getting a goal against them. When Luís Eduardo Alcântara fell near the penalty area in the 79th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Meriti SS's protests and gave Luís Eduardo Alcântara a yellow card for diving instead. Luís Eduardo Alcântara kicked well hit freekick during the 79th minute of the match. Frank Costa didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Silvinho Duarte went, in the 87th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-0 was the resulting score. After having played for 91 minutes, Silvinho Duarte managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Santa cruz fc's supporters crossed their fingers, but Silvinho Duarte was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Meriti SS's zone, Eriberto Martins stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Frank Costa came out of the goal and Eriberto Martins 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 Santa cruz fc were the better team. Santa cruz fc's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.