Ershilio Luz saw off Nakao 2:1 in Group Stage five of the Santa Catarina Cup on Friday evening. The home side took all three points at their own ground, extending a recent run that has seen them bounce back from heavy defeats.
The opening goal came early, at the five-minute mark, setting the tone for a match that would lean heavily on Ershilio Luz's attacking shape. Nakao were not to be outdone, striking back at thirty-nine minutes to level matters and keep the contest alive.
By then the away side had grown into the game, pressing higher and forcing errors in midfield. Yet Ershilio Luz held firm and added a third goal at seventy-four minutes, a moment that shifted the balance definitively and left Nakao chasing shadows for the remainder.
The statistics tell a familiar story. Ershilio Luz dominated possession at 59 per cent and registered 129 attacks compared with 96 for their visitors. However, conversion was selective: six shots on target yielded two goals, while Nakao's two shots on target produced one result.
Discipline was mixed, with the home side collecting two yellow cards and Nakao three. The away team earned only two corners to Ershilio Luz's six, a reflection of the territorial imbalance that ran through the ninety minutes.
For Nakao, the loss cuts into a fragile run. They had drawn 3:3 against Barra on Wednesday before losing 0:4 to Joinville, and this result adds another stain to their recent record in the competition.
Ershilio Luz, meanwhile, keep their grip on Group Stage five. They lost 2:4 to Marzilio Dias on the previous outing but have shown they can respond when the pressure mounts.
