League

Arena FJ Zonta
Spectators: 7269 (Terracing: 5453, Seating: 1672, VIP seats: 144) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Cristiano Macedo started the match with the kick off. Sao Pao's Régis Moura proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 3rd minute of the match, managed to save Sao Pao from getting a goal against them. After some careless play in the Sao Pao defense, Teodoro Pinheiro kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Régis Moura. The Sao Pao fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Régis Moura should have stopped the shot. Cristiano Macedo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, Sao Pao's Régis Moura got control of the ball when Teodoro Pinheiro tried to sneak it across the goal line. Cristiano Macedo struck a weak shot in the 28th minute. Régis Moura didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Birigui Knights EC. In the 32nd minute, Cristiano Macedo 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. 36 minutes into the match, Luizão de Amaral had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Frank Lopes. Birigui Knights EC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Luizão de Amaral was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. After a rather tough play, Sao Pao's Laércio do Vale got a free kick in the 41st minute. Teodoro Pinheiro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 42nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Régis Moura having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristiano Macedo in the 45th minute of play forced Sao Pao's goalkeeper Régis Moura to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Cristiano Macedo came up free with the goalie in the 46th minute, the Birigui Knights EC 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 Cristiano Macedo couldn't finish the play. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Falcão Paraibano to make the kick off. If Teodoro Pinheiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 51st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 56 minutes into the match, Falcão Paraibano had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Frank Lopes. Birigui Knights EC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Falcão Paraibano was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-2. Falcão Paraibano received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 60th minute. Frank Lopes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Luizão de Amaral's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Frank Lopes read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 62nd minute of play. 66 minutes into the match, Birigui Knights EC's goal looked a bit too open when Falcão Paraibano came free, but Frank Lopes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 70th minute Cristiano Macedo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Régis Moura saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Luizão de Amaral fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 72nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Frank Lopes having to interfere. 77 minutes in the game, Falcão Paraibano fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Frank Lopes having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Teodoro Pinheiro in the 80th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Régis Moura saved Sao Pao from getting behind. If Cristiano Macedo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 81st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 83 minutes into the match, Sao Pao's goal looked a bit too open when Teodoro Pinheiro came free, but Régis Moura reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Teodoro Pinheiro's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Régis Moura read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 86th minute of play. When José Vítor Tróia fell near the penalty area in the 88th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sao Pao's protests and gave José Vítor Tróia a yellow card for diving instead. José Vítor Tróia hit a great freekick 88 minutes into the match. Cristiano Macedo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Régis Moura having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Cristiano Macedo in the 93rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Régis Moura prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Régis Moura showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cristiano Macedo, who was totally free with the ball in the 94th minute. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.