Ferroviário vs. Ipatinga

Estádio Presidente Vargas
26 Novembro 2006
1600

Ferroviário faced Ipatinga in a crucial encounter in the penultimate round of Serie C games. Ferroviário entered the game in fifth place, one point behind Barueri for the final promotion spot. Ferroviário needed to win to maintain pace with Barueri in advance of the final match of the season which would pit the two teams competing for the final transfer position in a match of great importance in São Paulo. Before worrying about Barueri, Ferroviário needed to focus their attention on a strong Ipatinga side which already had clinched promotion to Serie B for next year.

Ferroviário began the match strongly, making several great runs into the penalty area early. These early attempts skipped wide of the net, but ten minutes into the match, a Ferroviário striker was taken down in the area from behind, earning a penalty kick. The kick was deftly converted after a lengthy protest from the Ipatinga keeper, giving Ferrão the 1-0 lead. Ferroviário continued to control the follow of play, but Ipatinga continued to intermittently create chances. Roughyl five minutes after the Ferrão goal, two Ferroviário defenders slipped in the box, misplaying the ball leaving the Ferrão keeper to face a Ipatinga striker all alone. The striker danced past the keeper and touched the ball across the line to tie the score at one all. The match remained tied at the half, despite continued pressure from Ferrão.

Ferroviário returned to the field in the second half with continued pressure and attacks. Early in the half, Ferrão hit the crossbar and goal post with shots in rapid succession. Midway through the half, Ferroviário received a free kick 25 yards from the goal. The free kick was rifled past the Ipatinga wall, also beating the keeper for a goal, giving Ferrão the 2-1 lead. The score remained at 2-1 until 5 minutes remained in the match. A Ferrão striker entered the penalty area on a near breakaway, and the ball was tackled away by the last defender. The defender followed through with a hard tackle to the legs of the attacker, and the referee again pointed to the penalty spot to award a penalty kick to Ferroviário. This penalty was met with an even greater protest from Ipatinga, with one defender shoving the referee, leading the referee to issue a red card, leaving Ipatinga to play 10 vs. 11. Ferroviário converted the ensuing penalty to leave the score at 3-1. The match ended in favor of Ferroviário by this score. Barueri also won, leaving Ferroviário in 5th place, one point behind the São Paulo side. Ferroviário needs a win on the road against Barueri in their final game to advance to Serie B.