League

São Januário
Spectators: 7202 (Terracing: 5403, Seating: 1656, VIP seats: 143) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Júlio Mineiro started the match with the kick off. São José FC's Erik Meirelles played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Júlio Mineiro in the 3rd minute of play. Edgard Vale kicked well hit freekick during the 10th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Júlio Mineiro in the 16th minute of play forced São José FC's goalkeeper Erik Meirelles to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 17th minute, Oscar Maia hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The supporters of São José FC booed when Vasco da Gama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 26 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fabinho Melo didn't get a good kick on the ball. Vágner Abreu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Douglas Donato having to interfere. Robinho Batista might have been able to make a better finish in the 28th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Douglas Donato. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Robinho Batista ran back to his position shaking his head. Robinho Batista took the ball and in the 33 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Douglas Donato. Douglas Donato dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Robinho Batista in the 40th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Douglas Donato saved Vasco da Gama from getting behind. Vágner Abreu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Douglas Donato having to interfere. Douglas Donato showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Robinho Batista in the 46th minute of the match. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Robinho Batista was the one to do the kick off. If Ernesto Eger had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 53rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Douglas Donato was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Vágner Abreu showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-2 in the 58 minute of play. Edgard Vale's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Erik Meirelles read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 62nd minute of play. The São José FC fans' excitement grew in the 64th match minute when São José FC's Robinho Batista looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-3 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. São José FC were furious when Douglas Faria was red carded, 68 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 67th minute of the game. One of São José FC:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Vasco da Gama:s goal. Vágner Abreu might have been able to make a better finish in the 76th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Douglas Donato. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Vágner Abreu ran back to his position shaking his head. Dida da Costa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Douglas Donato tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With an all-out effort, São José FC's Douglas Donato threw himself towards the right post 81 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Dida da Costa, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Jarbas Carioca struck a weak shot in the 88th minute. Douglas Donato didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for São José FC. Vágner Abreu's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Douglas Donato read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 90th minute of play. Erik Meirelles showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Júlio Mineiro, who was totally free with the ball in the 92nd minute. In the 96th minute Júlio Mineiro shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Erik Meirelles saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The Vasco da Gama fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. São José FC were clearly better and deserved to take the win.