League Play-Off

Mineirão
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Genílson Guimarães got the match started through his kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elivélton Madureira in the 3rd minute of play forced Cruzeiro de Minas's goalkeeper Alvaro Negredo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 7th minute, Elivélton Madureira hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Pedro Augusto Paranaense stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Genílson Guimarães's shot from short distance in the 17th minute. After 19 minutes, Luís Fernando Marquez mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Schmidtinho and the Cruzeiro de Minas players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 19 played minutes Schmidtinho got a freekick which was hit by Luís Fernando Marquez. Manfredo Damião sent away a hard shot on goal in the 22nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Genílson Guimarães came up free with the goalie in the 25th minute, the Cruzeiro de Minas 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 Genílson Guimarães couldn't finish the play. After some fancy dribbling in the 27th minute, Genílson Guimarães managed to get in a good position for a shot. Cruzeiro de Minas's supporters rose to their feet, but Genílson Guimarães was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Pedro Augusto Paranaense breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The referee felt a red card was in order, 29 minutes into the game, when Albano Ronaldo put in a rough tackle. In a very dangerous position, a player in Cruzeiro de Minas fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 29th minute. Penalty! In the 34th minute Luiz Eduardo Pinheiro shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alvaro Negredo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpected shot in the 38th minute by Genílson Guimarães got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. When Luiz Eduardo Pinheiro came up free with the goalie in the 41st minute, the Schmidtinho 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 Eduardo Pinheiro couldn't finish the play.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Luiz Eduardo Pinheiro was the one to do the kick off. The supporters of Cruzeiro de Minas booed when Schmidtinho was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 51 match minutes in a wonderful position. Chico Travassos didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 55 minutes, Luís Fabiano Paiva managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cruzeiro de Minas's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luís Fabiano Paiva was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Genílson Guimarães took the ball and in the 57 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Pedro Augusto Paranaense. Pedro Augusto Paranaense 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. 65 minutes into the match, Egídio Gaúcho notched a goal, 1-2, to the right of Cruzeiro de Minas's Alvaro Negredo. Alvaro Negredo was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 71 minutes into the game, Chico Travassos was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Schmidtinho's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Cruzeiro de Minas the free kick. A collision led to Schmidtinho getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Chico Travassos hit a great ball. 75 minutes into the match, Schmidtinho's goal looked a bit too open when Genílson Guimarães came free, but Pedro Augusto Paranaense reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Genílson Guimarães had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 79th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Luiz Eduardo Pinheiro received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 84th minute. Alvaro Negredo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Genílson Guimarães received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Pedro Augusto Paranaense tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 93 minutes into the match, Cruzeiro de Minas's goalkeeper Alvaro Negredo had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Egídio Gaúcho. If Luiz Eduardo Pinheiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Chants of Schmidtinho echoed around the stadium as the match drew to a close. Supporters and players were both delighted with the win, as Cruzeiro de Minas had held the ball for most of the match.