FC Irlande 1sts

Firsts had another must win game against bottom of the table Big J Asps in Neder Over Hembeek.

We had a strong squad of 14 or so we thought but ended up with 12 plus coach Karl as emergency sub.

Lineup was a 4-2-3-1

Antonio
Neil Villu Sigve Sean
Cillian Benji
Nair Bono Rudi
Amadou
Thomas on the bench, we lost Naim & Mika before ko.

The importance of a good start in these games can’t be understated so we of course conceded in the first minute.

After that we were well on top, had a goal disallowed by Benji for offside when he actually ran onto a cutback where the ball went backwards.

We were cutting them open when we moved the ball wide & when our tempo was high. We should have had a penalty when Bono was taken out but his dieing swan routine didn’t impress the referee who was really poor throughout.

We eventually got the goal just before ht when a nice move down the right ended with Cillian cutting back for Rudi arriving at the back post. 1-1 ht.

Straight after ht we took the lead when a corner from Neil was brilliantly headed home by Villu.

Thomas came in for Amadou and we were completely on top but some bizarre refereeing decisions & wasted chances kept them in it.

We really should have had four or five more goals. A particular comedic miss by Bono having danced by three defenders being a highlight.

Right at the end we needed Antonio to scramble across his goal & motm Villu to clear to secure the victory that ensures we stay in division one.

We had great support from family Rubini, Pierre, Dave, Ruth, Laurence & Robbie, nice to have it.

Two games plus the cup left, let’s finish the season on a high.

The firsts went into this game still searching for their first win of the year. As it turned out, on Saturday there were lot’s of firsts, I’ll get to them.

In the absence of coach Karl, Dof Paul was in charge, hoping to continue his 100% win record this season before handing the team back for the remaining three league games.

We had a strong squad of 14 and we needed them all against title chasing LTC1. We had two from the seconds, Amadou and Neil & welcomed François in goals, fresh from being motm for Vets2 last week.

Lineup was a 4-5-1

François
Neil Rudi Lennart Sean
Dipson Naim Bonaldi Nair Joel
Amadou
Thomas Karim and Cillian on the bench.

We started well, with the considerable wind and rain at our backs. Had the best of it with a trademark Sean free kick hitting the bar. Francois was calm and sharp, back four very solid, midfield and wingers doing some very good work & Amadou causing loads of problems up top.

Second half, they had the elements, pushed us back without any great danger. Thomas and Cillian came in for Naim and Dipson, Karim a few minutes later for Joel.

The hail and wind were directly in our faces yet Bonaldi kept shouting over at me. No idea what he was saying so I ignored him. With 15 to go he decided he’d had enough, beat two, 1-2 with Thomas, into the box where he was cleaned out. Up he got to calmly slot the penalty. Not content with that he decided to get a second yellow almost straight from the ko. This is what happens when you give lads notions by handing them the #10.

We battled on until the end & were thankful to François for an amazing double save at his near post.

Those firsts.
First motm for Vets2 & firsts, ever.
First win of the calendar year.
First time Bonaldi wore 10.
First red card for him.
First goal.
Just need him to buy a first round of beer now.

Motm was François but I’m not exaggerating when I say any one of the 14 players could lay claims to it. An absolutely fantastic effort from everyone, even the #10.

Moan of the match is a personal one. I had some tests last week and apparently I’ve slightly elevated blood pressure. No idea what could be contributing to it. None at all. In entirely unrelated news we’ve taken 10 points from the top two runaway teams & given 6 to one of the teams below us.

Let’s get out training and see the league campaign out in style before giving the Cup a good lash.

1sts lost a vital game against LTC 2 in a very windy Ohain. We started well and had most of the possession and a few half chances but couldn’t get a score. A long ball caught out our defence and their striker finished well to make it 1 – 0. Another long ball was not picked up and Antonio was forced to come out of his goal to clear but only succeeded in bringing down their forward and the ref awarded a penalty which they duly dispatched. 2 0 at HT.  Rudi,Sylvain and Thomas were brought on in the 2nd half and we had a good spell where we created a lot of chances with Rudi hitting the bar. All to no avail as they kept us out and it finished 2 – 0.

After today’s results we are 3 points above the relegation zone with 4 games left. Will require our best efforts to get ourselves away from this.

Come on boys.

1sts played Higgins 1 on a tough windy day and a trimmed pitch. We were on the front foot with the wind and had plenty of chances. Eventually scoring to make it 1-0 (Nair) HT. 2nd half we started bad , conceded inside 5 mins ,but we continued to create few chances.Their goalie with a goal line save . We couldn’t push through.1-1 FT. MOTM Rutger & Nair. Slowly building confidence and ready for next week. Many thanks to all the teams for helping out with the squads.

Firsts lost 1-2 to old rivals Portugal. Went one down early after a fast counter. We were the better team without creating loads. We equalised just after ht when a long cross from Pedro was brilliantly volleyed home by Sean with his left foot. We were well on top when Joel was last man tackled, red for them we pressed, had a few close things and conceded from a defensive mistake. We are not getting any luck at the moment but if we keep showing the spirit that we are the results will come. MOTM Sean, outstanding from left back.

Firsts lost 1-2 against third from bottom MTM. We were slow to start, conceded from a long ball. Lost keeper Nico at ht through injury. Sean deputised and did well. We pushed & conceded on the break, their keeper made some great saves, Lennart with a consolation at the end.

Firsts had a hard fought 2-2 against old rivals Jefke. Started well, should have had a penalty but conceded from a corner, an unluckily own goal. We equalised just before ht through a super half volley by Arjan with his right foot. A defensive mistake gave them the lead, they put everyone behind the ball. We pushed & eventually got the equaliser with two to go. A brilliant through ball by Mika to Bonaldi who pulled it back for Arjan to finish. A well deserved, hard fought point.

A depleted 1sts squad were great value for a 3-3 draw against run away league leaders Brussels British. Went one down inside a minute but Arjan  equalised after Nair was fouled in the box. We were on top but a defensive mix up then gave them the lead. A few minutes before ht a nice touch from Thomas to Nair who went on a great run past two, slipped it to Mika, lovely finish from him, lifting it over the keeper. 2-2 ht. Second half, we were on top but were thankful for a brilliant save from Nico in a one on one on the edge of the area. We then got another penalty, another foul on Nair. Unfortunately Arjan’s penalty this time was over the bar, let us know when the ball lands. They scored after some poor defending but we were still in it, playing all the football against a team playing a serious amount of long balls. Ten to go, Arjan was taken out when he was about to shoot, Alvaro, on loan from Vets1 stepped up to cooly slot home. A superb effort from 1 to 13 & maybe a little unlucky not to get the win.

MOTM  Nair, back to his best.

Fc Irlande 1st played against Coin du Balai. After the 5-5 in the first leg, the game was full of promises and lots of goals poured at Nossegem. We concede the the first goal following a good movement of Coin du Balai, from the right to the left, a shoot outside the 18-yard box concluded the opportunity. A long ball from Sean gave the possibility to Arjan to express his speed and he finished his face-to-face with cold-blood. Fc Irlande used and abused long balls, the game got physical, Benjamin has blood in his face. The duals were tough. Dangerous on free kick, Coin du Balai scored the second goals after a fine kick on the box. 1-2 at the HT. We missed lots of passes and we hadn’t the control of the game.
A silly push from our defender offered a penalty. 1-3. Then, 5 minutes before the whistle, Arjan scored a free-kick. It was just before the brawl where 3 players were sent off. We lost 2-3 resuming the season as we had finished. Be more consistant defensively for the next game.

1sts had a tough 1-2 loss with the last kick of the game v Choule. Went one down just after ht. Had a few chances. Played last 25 with ten after sub James pulled his hamstring, no more substitutes as Bonaldi didn’t turn up, letting his teammates down badly. Equalised through Sigve and had other chances before the end. Need to be better.

1sts lost 3 2 but should have had something from the game. Although playing quite well we conceded a goal in the middle of the 1st half. Despite our  pressing we conceded 2 more and at half time it was 3 0. Nair came on at half time and we upped the tempo taking the game to them. We deservedly got back into the match when Sigve lobbed into the net. Shortly afterwards he scored again  and it was 3 2 with all to play for. An unbelievable poor decision by the referee robbed us of an equaliser and the game ended 3-2. Disappointing but we played well in periods of the game with Sylvain prominent in most of our best moves.

The firsts were playing Choule Auderghem today in our training pitch. We started well keeping possession as expected. Few minutes into the 1st half, Sylvain broke through in the right to pass it Sigve to score. 1-0. Sigve scored again from another good build up from the team, Guillaume delivered the assist. HT 2-0. The 2nd half was bit tough , we conceded a goal, as we were in danger on long balls.2-1. But we managed to see the end of the game and get the important 3 points. MOTM Sylvain & Sigve. Two former champions showing that form is temporary : class is permanent

Firsts lost 0-2 to Lxg. 0-1 down at ht, we hit the bar, missed a penalty & had a clear chance. Conceded a second on the break at the end, we pushed in the second half without really creating much. They were first to most things and seemed to want it a bit more. We had our chances too. Need to up the level to compete at the top of the league.

1sts great run ended away to La Lorraine2, losing 1-4.We had chances before a ball not cleared gave them the lead. Another mistake made it 0-2 at the break. An unwillingness to shoot when in good positions cost us, they got two more on the break, Arjan with a consolation penalty at the end. If you’re not at it in this league you get punished.

For the first game at noon, the Boys in green were not late, scoring two penalties after 10mn. Arjan took twice his duties. The tempo fell down and the opponents had opportunities and scored before the Half-time. At the second half, bench brought some energy. Syvain to Nair on the right, Nair crossed for Arjan who needs his chest to score his customary hat-trick. To close the sunny but cold afternoon, James and his new blue shoes brought some warm and scored his first goal as announced. Watched and learnt, James _ we wait for the same every week. 4-1.

MOTM : Arjan : goal machine easier for him to score 3 goals than not get a red card. Well done !

Higgins 0 FC Irlande 6

The firsts looked to continue their good start to the season on a nice autumn day in our home away from home, Auderghem against Higgins.

With Bonaldi injured, James sick, Nair nursing his shoulder and coach Karl on an international scouting mission we nevertheless had a strong 12 plus Nair as an emergency substitute & Dof Paul taking the team.

We lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond.

Nico

Guillaume Sean Fede Lennart

Naim

Denis Tim

Sylvain

Arjan Sigve

Thomas and Nair on the bench.

Game started & we owned the ball from the first minute. We passed it very well and the shape suited us. A lot of the play went through Naim and the two strikers looked very dangerous. Keeper made a great save from Arjan in a one on one. We had other half chances & eventually Arjan was taken down in the area, picked himself up to convert to the keepers right.
Defence were very solid and used the ball really well with the full backs getting forward very well. Tim, Denis & Sylvain were bossing the midfield in front of Naim.
HT came & the feeling was just keep doing what we were doing. A few minutes in to the second half & Sylvain scored an absolute beauty from the right corner of the area, a beautiful volley, textbook technique, assist from Denis.

We were cruising now, Thomas came in for Denis and promptly gave a nice assist to Tim for his first goal for the firsts to make it 3-0. Not finished there Thomas again assisted, this time for Arjan who didn’t pull it back for Sigve & is still alive to tell the tale. Nice finish.
Arjan, perhaps in fear of the wrath of the Norwegian then played him in unselfishly to make it 5.
Frustrated #10 Fede finally got his chance to play there in the last few minutes, switching with Sigve and he gave a lovely pass for Arjan to complete his hat trick.
The opposition were not the greatest but some of our play was really good, joint motm were Arjan and Naim but all 12 were really good.
If we can keep that level of performance for the rest of the season we will not be too far off at the end of the season.

1sts had a hard fought 2-0 away win against table topping LTC 1 in leafy La Hulpe. On a difficult pitch we showed great fighting spirit against very physical opponents. Went one up after a great move, James on the left, to Karim on the right, brilliant cross from Guillaume, Rudi diving header at the far post. We defended brilliantly, they hit the bar and lost the heads. We got the second from Rudi again with 10 to go. Brilliant long pass by Tim to Mika on the left, he held it up & played Rudi in, round the keeper, lovely goal. Double Dutch from him in a motm performance where all 13 played a big part.

1sts back on the winning trail with a 3 0 victory against MTM.

Far from Brussels, at La Rosière, in Walloons Brabant, the boys in green played against MTM who was last at the stand. Nevertheless, they hadn’t lost by more than one goal. The team has not caught off guard, after the disappointing loss against Jefke last week. The game was delayed because of a serious injury on the previous game. The body can not be removed before the help of emergency, the referee was wondering if the game can occur. Finally, it held.

Focused, we scored the first goal after 3mn, Sylvain passed to Mika who crossed towards Arjan, but the ball was turned into his own goal by one of their defenders. 0-1. With the new formation, Mika moved a lot, Nair was upfield and Rutger was in control. The referee had obviously a history with Arjan, they talked a lot and obviously they won’t leave on holidays together as we say in French. Sylvain gave the ball to Guillaume, the new Leyton Baines, with more freedom in his side, delivered a nice cross to Nair, his header, powerful and splendid, was stopped by a magnificent save. 0-1 at the half-time, a bit of frustration because we remained in danger. Villiu and Naim at the back helped to feel safe and the team could move forward. The second goal arrived when Nair was put through, with a one/two with Rutger. 0-2. First goal of El capitano. The referee denied a penalty to Arjan who got nervous. Before he was sent off, he scored his customary goal with the help of Mika’s assist. Few minutes earlier, Sylvain on the bench was also sent off after a discussion with the referee. Naim was picked as Man of the Match for the second time and Guillaume cleaned the changing room, meanwhile the teammates was sipping beers and sodas.

1sts were hoping to build on last week’s great win but went down 1-2 to Jefke. Dominated possession without threatening then conceded after a shot from the edge hit the post. Started creating, Mika hit the bar with a free. Ht 0-1. Second half we created way more, equalised through Dipson, first goal for the club, nice assist from Arjan. We looked the only winners but then a lapse at the back, 1-2. Their keeper made three outstanding saves from Arjan and we had other chances but couldn’t equalise. That’s the margins in division one.

Fc Irlande – Brussels British R 1 : 3-0

Fc Irlande 1st welcomes the leader who hasn’t lost yet. In the cloudy afternoon, the Staff is not afraid to get the barbecue out. For the Boys in green, Brits and meat are on the menu.

The Brits hasn’t lost any game for 30 games. We all know their ability to score anytime. The attention and the focus should be permanent. They play with long balls, but Sigve and Bonaldi are solid, aggressive, cutting every attempt, they impulse the confidence we need and Guillaume and Lennart are fast enough to cut also the diagonals. In the midfield, Cillian, James and Nair start recovering lots of balls. Contacts and duels are rough.The referee ignores the offside rule. Dipson tries a shot but he is too far, James has a free kick, good shot with a rebound but no goal. Few minutes before the half-time, the ball moves from the right to the left, James gives laterally to Cillian who kicks and scores thanks to his special outside foot. During the second half; the Brits keep playing this way and the Irish remains comfortable. Hugo’s father gets the ball on a corner kick in the crowd, the father looks serene. After a cross, Arjan does a header, the keeper doesn’t block the ball and Mika scores his third goals of the season. The Brits get frustrated and nervous and logically get a red card after a spat. Arjan answers to a quarrel with a customary goal, walking around the keeper after a gorgeous 30 yard ball from Sylvain. 3-0. The Irish hit a big shot. The scenario is positive scoring at key moments and we have to stay focused and not to be overconfident. Jefke ahead !

MOTM :  James convinces the teammates thanks to his ability to keep the ball and make superb passes. Bonaldi solid and generous shares the award. Two rounds of beer for the boys in Green. + a round from Patrick, our sponsor. Cheers!

Firsts drew 5-5 with Coin Du Baili. Went one down then goals from Arjan, Lennart and Mika had us cruising at ht. We went 4-1 up with a second from Mika. We then stopped playing & were asleep on two of their goals, individual mistakes for the others. Somehow found ourselves 4-5 down in injury time, seriously, but showed great spirit to get an equaliser from the genuine club legend that is Sigve. We could have had a penalty at the very end to win it too. Now, please be quiet as I need a lie down after all that.

Under the sunny sky of Nossegem, the boys in green play for the second time in a row at home. Frustration away, it is time to grab the 3 pts against a team who lost his first game too. Paul warns the guys that Euro Union is a special team with its antics and a good striker. Arjan, Bonaldi, Lennart and Naim play for the first time and Naïr with brand new shoes and his armband is back from France.

Fc Irlande has possession but the connexion between defenders and midfielders seems blurred. Vincent on the right side can deliver a good cross but the Arjan’s header is too shy. Lennart is solid and the referee punished every Sigve’s duels. The Euro Union midfielders close down well and few midfielders on our side are able to build the game. Then, Naim, by an excellent pressing troubles the central defender, who desperately, gets rid of the ball. Naim passes to Arjan who scores his first goal, thanks to a keeper deflection. 1-0, first goal of the season. Unfortunately, the whites get equal when they score after a free kick, the ball is cleared off by Nicolas, but the second ball goes into a white foot, and don’t miss the opportunity. 1-1. Second goals we conceded on a second ball. The event loses their rationality when we concede a second goal after a penalty. Vincent touches the striker’s leg who look for the contact.1-2. At the half-time, it was hard to believe that The Cillian’s theory will come true, but, it is, anyway, a must to make a better performance. Union starts saving time, complaining and falling. Every two minute the game is stopped. The Staff gets nervous/ crazy and the players remain quiet though. The referee is not an excuse, it is a parameter. The breaks due to Euro Union’s injury last longer and longer. It is difficult to keep the momentum. Some Vincent free kicks give some glimpse of hope. Then, Thomas P. falls in the eighteen yard box and the referee gives us a penalty as counterbalance. Arjan shots and scores. The opponent seems also tired and less fit than us. Naïr whips a splendid long ball for Arjan who deviate with his chest and complete his hat-trick. 3-2. What an emotional rollercoaster ! Now Euro Union is losing but the opportunities are still green. After a Scholesy pass, from left to right, James finds Vincent who dribbles the keeper,  shot on the post, Thomas runs, shots with all his heart and without control and finds the crossbar. Uugh! Tim has an one-to-one, but his lob attempt is too flaw. Fc Irlande could score two or three times but is happy for the first win. A good win with heart and mental toughness.

MOTM : three goals and a yellow card, Arjan – I don’t know where the stadium is but the goalie well – puts its stamp.

On Saturday afternoon, the Boys in Green were looking forward to open the new season. New players discovered the league (5). Crash at Montgomery, Bureaucratic issue, sick wife didn’t divert the attention of the players and the staff for the Game number one, which occurred on a nice and pleasant grassy pitch.

Brussels LTC 2 in Burgundy jersey has got experienced players who won easily the division 2 last season. Following a corner kick, cleared by the defense, a bold opponent kicked to the goal, Dennis touched the ball and Nicolas “WikiAbssa” is fooled. Very unlucky goal. Dennis as the Defense leader dictated the tempo for the building up and we saw that the Greens are very thorough, maybe too much and the pace is not high. LTC is well set up, we can go close to the eighteen yard box but without being very dangerous. Selim or Sylvain’s free kick were good opportunities. There was a tiki-taka sequence on a left, but unfortunately the cross from Karim was not accurate enough to give Thomas or Selim a real chance to score. Brussels LTC defended, ran after the ball, there was only a free kick who touched the post giving some worries to the Irishes. In the second-half, we needed to find this emergency sense to push upfield. LTC2 seemed exhausted, Sigve and Karim made shoots, Guillaume and Thomas felt in the eighteen-yard box, but LTC resisted, unable to attack, blocked by a strong defense and a solid Federico. The Cillian’s theory claiming that the first who scores wins seems to be working. At the very end, Federico got the ball alone at two meters to the goal, but can’t shoot. At the very last minute, Corner from Vincent, Nicolas the keeper gave the ball to Dennis, alone, who kicked near the goal. Disappointment and frustration.