League Play-Off

Olímpico JAIR MORAES
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. Gerson Eger started the match with the kick off. Gerson Eger struck a weak shot in the 4th minute. Valdo Prestes didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ambicao EC. After some fancy dribbling in the 6th minute, Gerson Eger managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ambicao EC's supporters rose to their feet, but Gerson Eger was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Valdo Prestes breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. BOTAFOGO's Valdo Prestes played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marquinhos Tepedino in the 10th minute of play. The supporters of Ambicao EC booed when BOTAFOGO was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 21 match minutes in a wonderful position. Geovânio Fernandes didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 22 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for BOTAFOGO! Geovânio Fernandes sent away a hard shot on goal in the 29th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Gerson Eger had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dário Alcântara took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 36th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Simão Matorin. Ambicao EC's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. 41 minutes into the match, BOTAFOGO's goal looked a bit too open when Gerson Eger came free, but Valdo Prestes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to BOTAFOGO getting a freekick after 41 minutes play. Eduardo de Sena hit a great ball. After a rather tough play, BOTAFOGO's Dorian de Brito got a free kick in the 44th minute. In the 45th minute of the match Sydney Hermes sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Valdo Prestes skillfully saved the ball. The BOTAFOGO players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ambicao EC were winning 0-1.

Simão Matorin showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Geovânio Fernandes in the 52nd minute of the match. In the 55th minute the ball was on its way in behind BOTAFOGO's goalkeeper Valdo Prestes, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. With a little luck, BOTAFOGO's Valdo Prestes got control of the ball when Marquinhos Tepedino tried to sneak it across the goal line. The supporters of BOTAFOGO booed when Ambicao EC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 61 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gerson Quadros didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jeferson Marinho in the 63rd minute of play forced Ambicao EC's goalkeeper Simão Matorin to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gerson Quadros in the 67thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Valdo Prestes, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Jeferson Marinho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 71st minute. Simão Matorin tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Gerson Eger received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Valdo Prestes came out and tried to block the shot, but Gerson Eger slotted it home off the left post making it 0-2 in the 74th minute. 78 minutes into the game, BOTAFOGO's Jeferson Marinho nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Simão Matorin made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. In the 83rd minute, Gerson Eger 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. In the 84th minute, Gerson Eger reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Valdo Prestes. The goal made the score 1-3. Gerson Eger sent away a hard shot on goal in the 94th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A hard shot 96 in the game by Marquinhos Tepedino from a close distance when the talented Valdo Prestes managed to make a qualified save. BOTAFOGO's players were relieved. Ambicao EC's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.