The game had decisive content with an eye on an early place in next year’s Series D. And it was not for lack of opportunities that Santa Cruz and Retro they didn’t shake the nets. In a delayed clash in the fourth round of the Pernambucano Championship, Cobra Coral and Fênix ended 0-0, in Arruda, on Thursday night (15). With the result, the teams maintain their respective positions in the table, now with two matches remaining until the end of the first phase. While Azulão, in third place, reached 14 points, Tricolor, in fourth, reached 13.
Anyone who was present at Arruda saw an eventful first half. Despite the score not moving, both teams had good opportunities to score goals. Although without danger, Santa Cruz reached the opponent’s area three times in less than ten minutes. Retrô, in turn, tried long distance shots. When they had a chance close to the Coral goal, Fênix came very close to taking the lead. At 21, after a cross, Guilherme Paraíba deflected and William saved in fright, counting on the help of the post. Afterwards, the tricolor defense removed the danger on the line.
Santa’s situation became a little more complicated when Matheus Melo, in the 33rd minute, left the field with shoulder pain. Shirt 10 gave way to João Diogo. Without its main articulator, Cobra Coral only came to scare Paulo Ricardo’s goal at 43. From outside the area, Lucas Siqueira hit a beautiful shot to save the Azulino goalkeeper. On the rebound, free, Thiaguinho sent it out.
With the need to win, Santa Cruz was more incisive in the final stage. Supported by more than 13 thousand fans who didn’t stop encouraging, Tricolor tried in every way to penetrate the less leaky defense of the State. In the best chance, the fans even shouted goal, but Paulo Ricardo managed to recover from João Diogo’s header and kept the ball over the line, at 32. From outside the area, the number 7 had another opportunity in the final stretch , but stopped again at the opposing goalkeeper.
Retrô only bothered Santa at the end. First, Giva saw his bicycle goal disallowed after appearing in an offside position. Then, Leonan took advantage of Henrique’s wrong exit and played for Renato Henrique. The attacker hit the ball and the ball went to the left of William’s goal.
Game sheet
Santa Cruz 0
William; Toty, Paulo César, Rafael Pereira and Juan Tavares; Caio Mello, Lucas Siqueira (Henrique) and Matheus Melo (João Diogo); João Pedro (Wellisson), Thiaguinho (Felipe Cardoso) and Pedro Bortoluzo (Gilvan). Coach: Itamar Schülle.
Retro 0
Paulo Ricardo; Jean, Dankler, Guilherme Paraíba and Edson Lucas; Alencar (Richard Franco), Moisés Ribeiro and Radsley (Leonan); Luisinho (Israel), Giva and Gustavinho (Renato Henrique). Coach: Roberto Fernandes.
Location: Arruda Stadium (Recife/PE)
Referee: Paulo Belence Alves dos Prazeres Filho
Assistants: José Romão da Silva Neto and Humberto Martins Dias Silva
Goals:
Yellow cards: Gilvan, Caio Mello (STA); Gustavinho, Alencar, Giva (RET)
Audience: 13,309 fans
Income: R$ 288,540.00
See too
Santa Cruz
After leaving the game with Retrô injured, Matheus Melo and Thiaguinho are worrying at Santa Cruz
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