Challenge

Heriberto Hülse
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) CRICIÚMA E.C.'s Kazimierz Madej started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Jorge Sainz's late challenge caught a CRICIÚMA E.C.'s player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Jorge Sainz helped the player get up and apologised. CRICIÚMA E.C.'s Xandão Crouch was substituted for Kazimierz Madej. Jorge Sainz hit a great freekick 6 minutes into the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 9th minute, Jaime Cordeiro managed to get in a good position for a shot. CRICIÚMA E.C.'s supporters rose to their feet, but Jaime Cordeiro was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Joaquin Gayoso breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. CRICIÚMA E.C.'s Toninho Cardozo played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Francisco Seco in the 11th minute of play. Joaquin Gayoso showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Xandão Crouch, who was totally free with the ball in the 16th minute. In the 17th minute, Camilo Covarrubias hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Edward Pierz took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 17th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Joaquin Gayoso. Uruguay's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. 19 minutes had been played when some careless play by Uruguay's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Edward Pierz was slow to take the kick. During this time CRICIÚMA E.C.'s players had a chance to rest. CRICIÚMA E.C.'s Jaime Cordeiro was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Joaquin Gayoso in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Xandão Crouch struck a weak shot in the 26th minute. Joaquin Gayoso didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for CRICIÚMA E.C.. After having played for 31 minutes, Xandão Crouch managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. CRICIÚMA E.C.'s supporters crossed their fingers, but Xandão Crouch was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 33 minutes into the game, Xandão Crouch recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Joaquin Gayoso. Xandão Crouch showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Joaquin Gayoso took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Xandão Crouch, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Francisco Seco hit a great freekick 47 minutes into the match. After 48 played minutes Uruguay got a freekick which was hit by Francisco Seco. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Francisco Seco stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. With a little luck, CRICIÚMA E.C.'s Toninho Cardozo got control of the ball when Francisco Seco tried to sneak it across the goal line. The supporters of CRICIÚMA E.C. booed when Uruguay was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 55 match minutes in a wonderful position. Maximiliano Escribano didn't get a good kick on the ball. Francisco Seco could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 60th minute of the match, but Toninho Cardozo made a huge save. Joaquin Gayoso made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Erik Kulaš in the 61st minute of play. When Alberto Gisbert fell near the penalty area in the 62nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Uruguay's protests and gave Alberto Gisbert a yellow card for diving instead. Alberto Gisbert kicked well hit freekick during the 62nd minute of the match. Xandão Crouch fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Joaquin Gayoso having to interfere. Toninho Cardozo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Francisco Seco in the 72nd minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Uruguay's zone, Xandão Crouch stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Joaquin Gayoso came out of the goal and Xandão Crouch tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Maximiliano Escribano sent away a hard shot on goal in the 82nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 83 minutes into the match, Uruguay's goal looked a bit too open when Xandão Crouch came free, but Joaquin Gayoso reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When CRICIÚMA E.C.'s Xandão Crouch in the 85th minute got a chance for a shot 85th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Uruguay's goalie prevented a goal. In the 86th minute, Xandão Crouch ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Joaquin Gayoso was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-0. Bruno Beldad kicked well hit freekick during the 89th minute of the match. After 90 minutes of play, CRICIÚMA E.C.'s Jaime Cordeiro made it 4-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Joaquin Gayoso was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 96th minute, Maximiliano Escribano 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. CRICIÚMA E.C.'s fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.