Avaí started well, playing without fear as former Galatasaray midfielder Lincoln controlled proceedings in the early stages and it didn’t take long for the just rewards to arrive.
Daniel cut in from the right and picked out forward Willian with a clever pass, before the forward turned and found the back of the net with his placed finish.
Avaí were in front, but it typically wouldn’t last for the side who have struggled so much defensively this season. Anselmo was the scorer this time, with a rocket of a shot from outside the area, but keeper Felipe will be disappointed with his attempted save.
Just six minutes later, moments before half-time, Avaí were behind and it was a stunning goal from the Goianiense side that put them in front.
Picking up the ball near half-way, Vitor Junior beat several players on his way into the box, before embarrassing goalkeeper Felipe with the ease that he was able to round the keeper and pass the ball home.
Avaí came out and applied immense pressure once more in the second half, but for the early stages struggled to create chances. Mid-way through the half and it truely appeared like the Santa Catarina team were not going to get the break they deserved, when Junior Urso’s shot rattled the crossbar, with the keeper stranded.
They kept pushing once more and the luck soon turned, when Agenor was dismissed after handling Rafael Coelho’s header on the goalline, with Avaí also rewarded with a spot-kick. Unfortunately for the relegation battlers, their luck would not get any better as Willian’s poor spot-kick was saved by Felipe to his right-hand side.
It surely could not get any worse for Avaí, whose efforts had gone unrewarded all game. But, still they missed regular chances to equalise, with Lincoln the biggest culprit.
In the 90th minute, lady luck decided to forgive them their sins and grant some fortune the way of the home side.
A penalty was awarded after a foul on Cleverson in the corner of the box and Willian forgot the agony of his earlier miss to step home and score a last minute equaliser that sent the Ressacada into raptures.
Avaí: Felipe; Daniel, Gian, Dirceu (Cleverson), Fernandinho; Bruno Silva, Junior Urso, Pedro Ken (Rafael Coelho), Lincoln; Robinho (Diogo Orlando), Willian.Coach: Toninho Cecílio
Atlético-GO: Márcio; Adriano (Joílson), Anderson, Gilson, Thiago Feltri; Pituca, Marino (Agenor), Vitor Junior, Bida; Felipe (Ernandes), Anselmo. Coach: Hélio dos Anjos
Estádio da Ressacada, Florianópolis (SC)
