League Play-Off

Estádio Maravilha
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Elói das Neves kicked off to start the match. In the 4th minute, Alexandre Severo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elói das Neves in the 6th minute of play forced Maravilha AD's goalkeeper Natanael Freire to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. José Carlos Medeiros took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Delfim Velasco, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 10 played minutes Maravilha AD got a freekick which was hit by Delfim Velasco. After a defensive mix-up in Fortaleza FA's zone, Luiz Fábio Bittencourt stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. José Carlos Medeiros came out of the goal and Luiz Fábio Bittencourt tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Luiz Fábio Bittencourt got free with José Carlos Medeiros in the 13th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Delfim Velasco in the 20th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg José Carlos Medeiros saved Fortaleza FA from getting behind. When Luiz Fábio Bittencourt came up free with the goalie in the 23rd minute, the Maravilha AD 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 Luiz Fábio Bittencourt couldn't finish the play. Delfim Velasco struck a weak shot in the 25th minute. José Carlos Medeiros didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Maravilha AD. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Delfim Velasco in the 39th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck José Carlos Medeiros prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When Luiz Fábio Bittencourt came up free with the goalie in the 43rd minute, the Maravilha AD 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 Luiz Fábio Bittencourt couldn't finish the play. Anderson Lira received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 46th minute. Natanael Freire tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ricardinho Mineiro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Natanael Freire having to interfere. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Delfim Velasco to strike the kick off in the second half. Delfim Velasco fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 52nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without José Carlos Medeiros having to interfere. Anderson Lira charged in rather forcefully in the 64th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Anderson Lira the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. If Ricardinho Mineiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 70th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Elói das Neves fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 76th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Natanael Freire having to interfere. In the 78th match minute, Fortaleza FA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Elói das Neves to maneuver through the defense. José Carlos Medeiros made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Delfim Velasco in the 83rd minute of play. In the 85th minute, Claudinho Prado hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Maravilha AD's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.