League Play-Off

Frei Epifanio
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Zacarias Braga started the match with the kick off. Germano do Vale's late challenge caught a AS Novelli's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Germano do Vale helped the player get up and apologised. An unexpectedly hard shot by Zacarias Braga in the 5th minute of play forced Atlético Maranhense's goalkeeper Jean Rossi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 10 minutes into the game, AS Novelli's Chico Reis nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jean Rossi made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. In the 16thth minute of the game Zacarias Braga who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Atlético Maranhense's Jean Rossi was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Zacarias Braga scored 0-2 in the 19th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Jean Rossi, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After some fancy dribbling in the 24th minute, Rodolfo Fernandes managed to get in a good position for a shot. AS Novelli's supporters rose to their feet, but Rodolfo Fernandes was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Jean Rossi breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Zacarias Braga in the 26th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jean Rossi prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 30 minutes into the match, AS Novelli's goalkeeper Sydney Bastos had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Dida Cordeiro. 38 minutes into the match, Atlético Maranhense's goal looked a bit too open when Zacarias Braga came free, but Jean Rossi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jean Rossi came out of the goal in the 39th minute to try and stop a shot by AS Novelli's Zacarias Braga. But to his dismay, Zacarias Braga quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-3. Váldson Mandrak hit a great freekick 45 minutes into the match. Disappointed in the 0-3 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust 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. Gilberto Fontes was the one to do the kick off. In the 52nd minute, Adalberto Velasco hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 53 minutes into the match, Gilberto Fontes notched a goal, 1-3, to the right of AS Novelli's Sydney Bastos. Sydney Bastos was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Elano Nóbrega charged in rather forcefully in the 58th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Elano Nóbrega the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Zacarias Braga got free with Jean Rossi in the 64th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Jean Rossi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rodolfo Fernandes, who was totally free with the ball in the 70th minute. Zacarias Braga in the 75thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Jean Rossi, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Jean Rossi made a fantastic save in the 77th minute, when Zacarias Braga sent off a good shot on target. With a little luck, Atlético Maranhense's Jean Rossi got control of the ball when Zacarias Braga tried to sneak it across the goal line. Rodolfo Fernandes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 91st minute. Jean Rossi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Adalberto Velasco hit a great freekick 94 minutes into the match. The supporters of AS Novelli booed when Atlético Maranhense was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luís Fabiano Oliveira didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jean Rossi made an important save on a dangerous shot by Zacarias Braga in the 97th minute. When the final whistle sounded AS Novelli left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Atlético Maranhense.