League Play-Off

Mineirão
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when César Valadares kicked off to start the match. 5 minutes into the match, Cruzeiro's goal looked a bit too open when Fausto Brito came free, but Tristram Lister reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by César Valadares in the 6th minute of play forced Cruzeiro's goalkeeper Tristram Lister to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 13th minute, Fausto Brito ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Tristram Lister was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. If Romeo Sévestre had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Tristram Lister took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from César Valadares, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Afonso Maia hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. Cruzeiro's Romeo Sévestre got a good chance for a goal in the 24th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Cruzeiro's zone, César Valadares stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tristram Lister came out of the goal and César Valadares tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 32 minutes into the game, Picaras's Wiliam Saldanha nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Tristram Lister made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. Tristram Lister made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rodriguinho da Costa in the 39th minute of play. In the 43rd minute, Marcos de Sena hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Fausto Brito struck a weak shot in the 45th minute. Tristram Lister didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Picaras. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-2.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Romeo Sévestre was the one to do the kick off. Romeo Sévestre fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Igor Salgado having to interfere. 61 minutes into the game, Fausto Brito cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-3. Tristram Lister was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 70th match minute, Cruzeiro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marcos de Sena to maneuver through the defense. In the 72nd minute, Picaras's Fausto Brito ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Tristram Lister. Tristram Lister yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-4. After 77 played minutes Picaras got a freekick which was hit by Olívio Matorin. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Fausto Brito during the 79th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Cruzeiro booed when Picaras was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 79 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fausto Brito didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Picaras getting a freekick after 82 minutes play. Fausto Brito hit a great ball. Fausto Brito might have been able to make a better finish in the 85th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Tristram Lister. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Fausto Brito ran back to his position shaking his head. 90 minutes into the match, Cruzeiro's goalkeeper Tristram Lister had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Wiliam Saldanha. Tristram Lister made a fantastic save in the 93rd minute, when Fausto Brito sent off a good shot on target. After 96 played minutes Cruzeiro got a freekick which was hit by Murillo da Cunha. The Picaras players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.