Anapolys claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Confiança in the Serie C regular season on Saturday night. The result leaves the visitors in 18th place with 19 points, while the hosts remain rooted in 20th with just 13.
Confiança controlled much of the territory, holding 56 per cent possession and launching 99 attacks compared with Anapolys' 68. The home side registered 19 shots, five on target, but could not find the net. And here's the thing — Anapolys managed to land seven shots on target from just 12 attempts, a sharper conversion rate when it mattered.
The match remained scoreless until the closing stages. Four early substitutions at the break suggested both managers were reshuffling their approaches. Yellow cards for Renilson, Ravel Pelegrini, Rafael Costa and Felipe Para kept the tempo cautious throughout the second half.
By then the game had settled into a pattern of home pressure without penetration. Confiança camped in the final third but Anapolys' defensive shape held firm. The visitors took their chance in stoppage time, a single moment that decided everything.
The late goal — scored in the 90th minute plus six — ended a run of poor form for Anapolys. They have kept their heads after a heavy defeat to Florésia last time out, and this result extends their unbeaten run to two games.
For Confiança the defeat deepens their relegation concerns. Three wins from 19 matches is a tally that demands attention from the boardroom. To be fair, they created more chances but gave away too many cheap fouls in dangerous areas.
The gap between the sides remains tight. Six points separate them in the table, and with two matches remaining every point carries weight. One mistake ends it, as they say in football.