League Play-Off

R.T.ARENA
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) RANCATOCO's Franklin Freitas started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Afonsinho Sá fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 3rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alexsandro Vidal having to interfere. Manoel Montenegro hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. Itapua's Sílvio Montenegro was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Alexsandro Vidal in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Alexsandro Vidal stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Antônio Lago's shot from short distance in the 17th minute. A hard shot 21 in the game by Betão Zanette from a close distance when the talented Romeu Terra managed to make a qualified save. Itapua's players were relieved. In the 23rdth minute of the game Antônio Lago who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but RANCATOCO's Alexsandro Vidal was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Betão Zanette received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 26th minute. Romeu Terra tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 28th minute, Franklin Freitas made a precise shot to the right of Romeu Terra. Itapua's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. Alexsandro Vidal showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Afonsinho Sá in the 33rd minute of the match. The audience was convinced that Afonsinho Sá's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Alexsandro Vidal was relentless in the 35th minute of the game. 37 minutes into the match, RANCATOCO's goal looked a bit too open when Afonsinho Sá came free, but Alexsandro Vidal reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience was convinced that Antônio Lago's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Alexsandro Vidal was relentless in the 42nd minute of the game. Betão Zanette sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Afonsinho Sá to strike the kick off in the second half. Alexsandro Vidal stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Antônio Lago's shot from short distance in the 52nd minute. After having played for 54 minutes, Afonsinho Sá managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Itapua's supporters crossed their fingers, but Afonsinho Sá was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Betão Zanette sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Afonsinho Sá during the 64th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Itapua's Afonsinho Sá got a free kick in the 64th minute. Afonsinho Sá recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 67th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When Afonsinho Sá in the 69th play minute got the chance to kick a hard shot on goal from short distance neither the defense or Alexsandro Vidal kept up with the ball and suddenly the score was 1-2 when the ball slipped into goal inside the left pole. 74 minutes into the game, Franklin Freitas cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-2. Romeu Terra was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 77 minutes into the match, RANCATOCO's goalkeeper Alexsandro Vidal had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Antônio Lago. Romeu Terra made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Franklin Freitas in the 81st minute of play. After having played for 83 minutes, Afonsinho Sá managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Itapua's supporters crossed their fingers, but Afonsinho Sá was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Antônio Lago got free with Alexsandro Vidal in the 85th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 88 minutes into the match, RANCATOCO's goal looked a bit too open when Afonsinho Sá came free, but Alexsandro Vidal reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 91st match minute, RANCATOCO was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Luís Fábio Pirani to maneuver through the defense. In the 92nd minute, Sílvio Montenegro sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and RANCATOCO's Alexsandro Vidal didn't even have to move. After a defensive mix-up in RANCATOCO's zone, Afonsinho Sá stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Alexsandro Vidal came out of the goal and Afonsinho Sá tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play.