League Play-Off

Lindolfo Monteiro
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Igor Simão sent away a hard shot on goal in the 5th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Giuseppe Gerber in the 7th minute of play forced River Piauiense's goalkeeper Emílio Macedo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Igor Simão had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 8th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Bernardinho Branco hit a great freekick 10 minutes into the match. Igor Simão received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 14th minute. Emílio Macedo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Donato Ramos made a fantastic save in the 18th minute, when Alan de Castro sent off a good shot on target. Alan de Castro blasted a shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Donato Ramos having to make a save. Donato Ramos took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alexsandro Motta, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 24th minute Igor Simão shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Emílio Macedo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 31 minutes into the match, São Paulo FC's Igor Simão sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Emílio Macedo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 34 played minutes São Paulo FC got a freekick which was hit by Igor Simão. In the 35thth minute of the game Alan de Castro who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but São Paulo FC's Donato Ramos was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. João Pedro Cavalcante's late challenge caught a River Piauiense's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. João Pedro Cavalcante helped the player get up and apologised. João Pedro Cavalcante kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. After recieving a nice pass, River Piauiense's Elias Moura tried to score from far away in the 38th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. Donato Ramos showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alexsandro Motta in the 41st minute of the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Alan de Castro got free with Donato Ramos in the 43rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Giuseppe Gerber was the one to do the kick off. The supporters of São Paulo FC booed when River Piauiense was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alexsandro Motta didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 59 played minutes River Piauiense got a freekick which was hit by William de Godoi. If Giuseppe Gerber had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in River Piauiense's zone, Giuseppe Gerber stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Emílio Macedo came out of the goal and Giuseppe Gerber tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Tostão Vaz got his second yellow card in the match during the 67th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. In the 68th minute, Tostão Vaz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Emílio Macedo made an important save on a dangerous shot by Igor Simão in the 70th minute. Emílio Macedo made a fantastic save in the 71st minute, when Igor Simão sent off a good shot on target. After a defensive mix-up in São Paulo FC's zone, Alan de Castro stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Donato Ramos came out of the goal and Alan de Castro tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Lauro Vale fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 75th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Donato Ramos having to interfere. Donato Ramos showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lauro Vale in the 81st minute of the match. Igor Simão could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 88th minute of the match, but Emílio Macedo made a huge save. After some careless play in the River Piauiense defense, Igor Simão kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Emílio Macedo. The River Piauiense fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Emílio Macedo should have stopped the shot. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. São Paulo FC had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.