League Play-Off

Tourao
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Edu Lara took the kick off in the first half of the match. Alexsandro Xavier recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 2nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Natã Jacinto made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Edu Lara in the 7th minute of play. Betinho Sá hit a great freekick 7 minutes into the match. In the 8th minute of the match Luiz Eduardo Lopes sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Natã Jacinto skillfully saved the ball. In the 9th match minute, Acurui was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Claudinho Mattos to maneuver through the defense. Laerte da Mata made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eugênio Zonta in the 11th minute of play. Dudu Tróia fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Laerte da Mata having to interfere. Laerte da Mata showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alexsandro Xavier in the 14th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Tourao's Luciano Cunha got a free kick in the 15th minute. Edgard Chaves charged in rather forcefully in the 20th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Edgard Chaves the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Edgard Chaves hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. After 22 minutes Tourao's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Manoel Duarte who took care of the corner kick. Dudu Tróia hit a great freekick 23 minutes into the match. In the 26th minute, Acurui's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Fábio Correia fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. Natã Jacinto took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Edu Lara, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Tourao's Edu Lara in the 30th minute got a chance for a shot 30th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Acurui's goalie prevented a goal. Natã Jacinto showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Edu Lara, who was totally free with the ball in the 31st minute. In the 32nd minute, Betinho Sá hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Edu Lara received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 33rd minute. Natã Jacinto tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Alexsandro Xavier had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 41 minutes into the match, Eugênio Zonta had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Laerte da Mata. Tourao's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Eugênio Zonta was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. The Tourao players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Acurui were winning 0-1.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Eugênio Zonta was the one to do the kick off. Laerte da Mata made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eugênio Zonta in the 53rd minute of play. The supporters of Tourao booed when Acurui was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sandrinho Neiva didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Alexsandro Xavier had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Natã Jacinto made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Edu Lara in the 69th minute of play. Edu Lara fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Natã Jacinto having to interfere. Tourao's Laerte da Mata proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 73rd minute of the match, managed to save Tourao from getting a goal against them. In the 74th minute, Gilmar Branco hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 76th minute, Edu Lara 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 Eugênio Zonta in the 82nd minute of play forced Tourao's goalkeeper Laerte da Mata to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 83 minutes into the match, Tourao's goalkeeper Laerte da Mata had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Alexsandro Xavier. 87 minutes into the match, Tourao's goal looked a bit too open when Dudu Tróia came free, but Laerte da Mata reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Laerte da Mata made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eugênio Zonta in the 90th minute of play. Fábio Correia struck a weak shot in the 95th minute. Natã Jacinto didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Tourao. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Acurui walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.