League

Dilmas Filgueiras
Spectators: 7377 (Terracing: 5534, Seating: 1696, VIP seats: 147) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Luiz Fábio Toledo got the match started through his kick off. Lauro do Nascimento hit a great freekick 2 minutes into the match. After recieving a nice pass, Cruzeiro S.A's Jacinto Araújo tried to score from far away in the 3rd minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. When Robinho Castro fell near the penalty area in the 4th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Cruzeiro S.A's protests and gave Robinho Castro a yellow card for diving instead. After 4 played minutes Cruzeiro S.A got a freekick which was hit by Robinho Castro. Germano Lira showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jacinto Araújo, who was totally free with the ball in the 6th minute. In the 8th minute Jacinto Araújo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Germano Lira saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jacinto Araújo during the 11th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Germano Lira made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jacinto Araújo in the 13th minute of play. Germano Lira took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Robinho Castro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 16th minute, Jacinto Araújo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Roger Pombal charged in rather forcefully in the 17th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Roger Pombal the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Roger Pombal hit a great freekick 17 minutes into the match. The crowd rose to their feet as Luiz Fábio Toledo kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Jarbas Tasso. That made the score 1-0 in the 19 minute of play. In the 25th minute, Jacinto Araújo 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. Luiz Fábio Toledo struck a weak shot in the 29th minute. Jarbas Tasso didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ceará S.A. Jarbas Tasso made an important save on a dangerous shot by Luiz Fábio Toledo in the 37th minute. 39 minutes into the game, Ceará S.A's Luiz Fábio Toledo nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jarbas Tasso made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

Cruzeiro S.A's Victor Bertassi was substituted for Belmiro Varela. Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Jacinto Araújo to make the kick off. If Nilton Mattos had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 56th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jacinto Araújo kicked well hit freekick during the 59th minute of the match. Ceará S.A's Richard Valladares got a good chance for a goal in the 61st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Robinho Castro received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Germano Lira tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When Victor Bertassi fell near the penalty area in the 75th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Cruzeiro S.A's protests and gave Victor Bertassi a yellow card for diving instead. Victor Bertassi kicked well hit freekick during the 75th minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Luiz Fábio Toledo in the 79th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jarbas Tasso saved Cruzeiro S.A from getting behind. With a little luck, Ceará S.A's Germano Lira got control of the ball when Robinho Castro tried to sneak it across the goal line. Robinho Castro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Germano Lira having to interfere. With a little luck, Ceará S.A's Germano Lira got control of the ball when Robinho Castro tried to sneak it across the goal line. Lauro do Nascimento hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. Jacinto Araújo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Germano Lira took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jacinto Araújo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side.