League Play-Off

Phantastic Stadium
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Luiz Fernando Borges kicked off to start the match. If Renan Mesquita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Phantásticos FC's Duarte Saldanha played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luiz Fernando Borges in the 5th minute of play. In the 9th minute of the match Phantásticos FC got a corner. Manchester City's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Cristiano França ran over to the corner to take the kick. Phantásticos FC's Cristiano França was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Luiz Gustavo Esteves in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Renan Mesquita hit a great freekick 10 minutes into the match. Renan Mesquita's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Duarte Saldanha read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 15th minute of play. Renan Mesquita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Duarte Saldanha having to interfere. 21 minutes into the match, Thomás Mendes had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Luiz Gustavo Esteves. Manchester City's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Thomás Mendes was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. In the 25th minute, Luiz Fernando Borges 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luiz Fernando Borges in the 28th minute of play forced Phantásticos FC's goalkeeper Duarte Saldanha to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Manchester City booed when Phantásticos FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 30 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cristiano França didn't get a good kick on the ball. Claudinho da Silveira took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 31st minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Duarte Saldanha. Phantásticos FC's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Evandro Mandrak sent away a hard shot on goal in the 35th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Silvinho Oliveira's late challenge caught a Manchester City's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Silvinho Oliveira helped the player get up and apologised. In the 37th minute, Silvinho Oliveira hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 46 played minutes Manchester City got a freekick which was hit by Renan Mesquita. After having played for 48 minutes, José Vítor Soares managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Manchester City's supporters crossed their fingers, but José Vítor Soares was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Evandro Mandrak to make the kick off. Luiz Gustavo Esteves stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Evandro Mandrak's shot from short distance in the 56th minute. 57 minutes into the game, José Vítor Soares was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Manchester City's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Phantásticos FC the free kick. Phantásticos FC's Cristiano França was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Luiz Gustavo Esteves in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Renan Mesquita took the ball and in the 65 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Duarte Saldanha. Duarte Saldanha dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Luiz Gustavo Esteves made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Thomás Mendes in the 69th minute of play. Renan Mesquita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 74th minute. Duarte Saldanha tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 80th minute, Luiz Fernando Borges fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. 86 minutes into the match, Phantásticos FC's goalkeeper Duarte Saldanha had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Renan Mesquita. Phantásticos FC's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Luiz Fernando Borges 87 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 2-2. After a rather tough play, Phantásticos FC's Dagoberto Motta got a free kick in the 90th minute. For all the effort they put into the match, the Manchester City players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Phantásticos FC.