League Play-Off

Estádio Tapuracuara
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Paulo Simão made the kick off and thus started the match. A hard shot 6 in the game by Márcio Zanette from a close distance when the talented Cristiano Bittencourt managed to make a qualified save. Balanco's players were relieved. Cristiano Bittencourt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Paulo Simão in the 8th minute of play. Jorge Quadros fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 10th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Percy Peres having to interfere. 12 minutes into the match, Balanco's goalkeeper Cristiano Bittencourt had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Márcio Zanette. With his leg Cristiano Bittencourt managed to avoid a goal in the 14thth minute, when Tapuracuara's Márcio Zanette fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Cristiano Bittencourt stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Paulo Simão's shot from short distance in the 17th minute. After a rather tough play, Balanco's Donato Melo got a free kick in the 19th minute. Cristiano Bittencourt was out of position in the 22 minute of play, and Paulo Simão capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Paulo Simão really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. After 25 played minutes Balanco got a freekick which was hit by Zé Roberto Neves. The supporters of Balanco booed when Tapuracuara was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 26 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lenílson Lopez didn't get a good kick on the ball. Balanco's Cristiano Bittencourt played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Paulo Simão in the 28th minute of play. Arí Amaral received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Percy Peres tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 34th minute, Lenílson Lopez 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. Márcio Zanette struck a weak shot in the 40th minute. Cristiano Bittencourt didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Tapuracuara. Jorge Quadros fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Percy Peres having to interfere. After 48 minutes of play, Tapuracuara's Márcio Zanette made it 2-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Cristiano Bittencourt was left in no man's land by his defense there! The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Arí Amaral to strike the kick off in the second half. After some fancy dribbling in the 54th minute, Paulo Simão managed to get in a good position for a shot. Tapuracuara's supporters rose to their feet, but Paulo Simão was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Cristiano Bittencourt breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a rather tough play, Balanco's Donato Melo got a free kick in the 61st minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Paulo Simão in the 65th minute of play forced Balanco's goalkeeper Cristiano Bittencourt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Percy Peres was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Jorge Quadros showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-1 in the 67 minute of play. Cristiano Bittencourt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Paulo Simão in the 71st minute of play. Cristiano Bittencourt showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Paulo Simão in the 74th minute of the match. In the 76th minute, Jorge Quadros left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Balanco fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-2. 82 minutes into the game, Edgard Almeida was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Tapuracuara's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Balanco the free kick. The supporters of Balanco booed when Tapuracuara was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Edgard Almeida didn't get a good kick on the ball. 84 minutes into the match, Balanco's Jorge Quadros sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Percy Peres narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 86 minutes into the game, Balanco's Jorge Quadros nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Percy Peres made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-3. Paulo Simão might have been able to make a better finish in the 89th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Cristiano Bittencourt. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Paulo Simão ran back to his position shaking his head. When Lenílson Lopez fell near the penalty area in the 90th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Tapuracuara's protests and gave Lenílson Lopez a yellow card for diving instead. In the 91st match minute, Tapuracuara was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lenílson Lopez to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Tapuracuara's Franklin Faustino got a free kick in the 93rd minute. Cristiano Bittencourt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Paulo Simão in the 97th minute of play. When Tapuracuara's Márcio Zanette in the 99th minute got a chance for a shot 99th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Balanco's goalie prevented a goal.