In this week 18 match, on Fri Jul 15th, Criciúma hosts Ponte Preta in a meeting of these two extremely mismatched Serie B teams. Weather on match day is looking like a cloudy and cool day, with daytime temperatures of only 19 degrees, a perfect day for football. In their last match, 7th placed Criciúma, recorded a 0-1 loss against Vasco da Gama. Raniel scored the first goal for Vasco da Gama in the 9th minute on a penalty shot, and with that single goal the scoring was complete. Neither team could manage anything else In the end, Criciúma was frustrated by Vasco da Gama’s defence and couldn’t put any tallies on the board. Vasco da Gama ended the match with the shutout victory. Criciúma is looking for direction having 4 win and 4 losses in their last 10 matches, while 16th placed Ponte Preta is fresh off their 1-0 shutout win against CSA. Lucca struck first for Ponte Preta in the 56th minute, and that was all the excitement the two teams could muster At the end of 90 a dissapointed CSA couldn’t manage to score, and Ponte Preta took the shutout win. Ponte Preta looks to improve on their recent performance, having earned only 10 points in their last 10 matches.
Ponte Preta and Criciúma last played eachother at the Estádio Heriberto Hülse on Thu Apr 8th. Criciúma and Ponte Preta battled to a 1-1 draw. Camilo struck first for Ponte Preta in the 60th minute, but Philipe Maia got the equalizer for Criciúma in the 73rd minute earning Criciúma a comeback draw. Criciúma’s top weapon lately has been Leonardo de Oliveira Costa, who has two goals in the last 5 matches.