League Play-Off

Estádio Natercia
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Murillo Ribeiro got the match started through his kick off. The supporters of Espirito Santo E. C. booed when Natercia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 2 match minutes in a wonderful position. Edgard Luz didn't get a good kick on the ball. When the match had gone on for 4 minutes, Murillo Ribeiro put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Nilton Toledo. João Carlos Brito received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. Nilton Toledo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Válter Rosa in the 19th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Elder Quadros prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 20 minutes into the match, Espirito Santo E. C.'s goal looked a bit too open when Válter Rosa came free, but Elder Quadros reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Pedro Brito struck a weak shot in the 22nd minute. Elder Quadros didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Natercia. When Natercia's Válter Rosa in 29 game minutes managed to cut through with the ball in front of the goal, only having to shoot. Elder Quadros guarding the goal like a pit bull was extremely focused and managed to reach the ball just by the crossbar before it went in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Pedro Brito in the 38th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Elder Quadros prevented the ball from getting in the gole. An unexpectedly hard shot by Válter Rosa in the 40th minute of play forced Espirito Santo E. C.'s goalkeeper Elder Quadros to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 42 minutes into the match, Espirito Santo E. C.'s Murillo Ribeiro sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Nilton Toledo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 46 minutes into the game, Válter Rosa recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Elder Quadros. Válter Rosa showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-1. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Válter Rosa made a kick off. Elder Quadros showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Válter Rosa in the 52nd minute of the match. 57 minutes into the match, Válter Rosa had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Elder Quadros. Espirito Santo E. C.'s manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Válter Rosa was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. When Natercia's Válter Rosa in the 62nd minute got a chance for a shot 62nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Espirito Santo E. C.'s goalie prevented a goal. 63 minutes into the game, Vitório das Neves was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Espirito Santo E. C.'s manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Natercia the free kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Válter Rosa in the 64th minute of play forced Espirito Santo E. C.'s goalkeeper Elder Quadros to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Pedro Brito came up free with the goalie in the 71st minute, the Natercia 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 Pedro Brito couldn't finish the play. In the 74th minute Válter Rosa shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Elder Quadros saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. During the 77th minute of the match Vitório das Neves completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Vitório das Neves a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. João Carlos Brito sent away a hard shot on goal in the 81st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Víktor Fernandez recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 82nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Válter Rosa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Elder Quadros having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Pedro Brito in the 87th minute of play forced Espirito Santo E. C.'s goalkeeper Elder Quadros to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Thomás Guedes during the 87th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Thomás Guedes hit a great freekick 87 minutes into the match. Elder Quadros took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Válter Rosa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some careless play in the Espirito Santo E. C. defense, Válter Rosa kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Elder Quadros. The Espirito Santo E. C. fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Elder Quadros should have stopped the shot. Elder Quadros took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Válter Rosa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. For all the effort they put into the match, the Espirito Santo E. C. players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Natercia.