FC Irlande Men 3

3rds travelled to Evere, to take on Green Devils, hoping to end our recent poor form but also having to use an unorthodox line up which included Matt Sims in goals (thank you once again.

3rds started very well and were camped in the Devils’ half for the majority of the first half. While we were able to build up and control the game, we lacked the final pass to create really clear opportunities. At one point, Daniel received the ball in the wide area of the penalty box, but his legs turned to stone and his shot was easily parried away. Towards the end of the first half we managed a few better opportunities but their goalkeeper made some very good saves to deny us.

In the second half we again started well but the obvious difference in quality made us increasingly impatient to get the opener. After going very close to scoring through both Shane and Max we eventually conceded a goal on a counter attack. Forced to throw even more bodies forward, we opened ourselves up to a second – again on a counter attack. Desperate to score we tried every trick in the book but it wasn’t to be.

Towards the final whistle the Devils put together another counter attack and managed to round Matt Sims for what seemed like an easy tap-in but they finally managed to show their true quality and fluffed the simple tap in to keep the final score 0-2 to them.

A difficult result to take but a positive performance from the team who worked hard for each other and will be rewarded for it in the final games this season.

The 3rds played against Copains Reunis today in what was our third home game in a row. The objective today was to build on our win last week and well and truly put our blip behind us but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

We started slow and allowed our opponents to develop a pattern of play that suited them. An own goal after 15 minutes put us 1-0 down. We responded well and played some of our better football today in the last 15/20 mins of the first half but couldn’t quite create the opportunities needed to get an equaliser.

The second half was a frustrating one, we couldn’t develop our normal patterns of play and especially struggled to find that final pass in the attacking third. Our opponents held on well and played to their strengths. Some good saves from Ale kept the deficit to just one. Overall we couldn’t find the answers, looked lost, found the pitch was a mismatch for everything we tried to do and the substitutions perhaps further disjointed us in the end. Final score 0-1. MOTM PA and Ale.

Thirds finally back to winning ways. After losing 4 times in as many games, we started the game with the right intentions trying to play with intensity. Unfortunately new inn our opponent scored first on their first opportunity. A few minutes before end of first half Tim scored with the complicity of the keeper. We started really well 2nd half pressuring them winning balls but our efforts were finally rewarded minutes later through a nice collective sequence ended by a powerful shot by Tim from the edge of the box. Then Shane added a 3rd goal on a counter attack. Final score 3-1. As the French said, we put the church back at the centre of the village. MOTM Tim

The 3rds made the short trip to Rue Kelle this afternoon in a 2nd V 3rd clash with Saint Georges 1.

Saint Georges started on the front foot and dominated the first 15 minutes. The 3rds defence stood strong and after we weathered the initial storm we started to get more and more into the game. Some good play down the left wing saw a ball played into Gav who was well positioned on the edge of the box. Gav hit an excellently taken shot which went over the Saint Georges keeper and nestled nicely in the net. 1-0. We continued to play well for the rest of the half.

Just moments into the second half, Saint Georges equalised. 1-1. The next 15/20 were closely contested with both teams threatening to take the lead. Eventually Saint Georges went ahead from a corner. 2-1. The 3rds threw everything they could at their opposition but they were not the kind of side to make things easy for us. Saint Georges added another in injury time. 3-1 FT. A tough defeat after going ahead and the final score flattered the opposition slightly but Saint Georges showed why they are where they are in the league.

The 3rds went into today’s game looking to get back on track after our first defeat of the season last week.

We played the better football in the first half but Josaphat took their opportunity when it came and took the lead half way through the first half.

The second half was similar, we played the better football, dominated the possession but couldn’t quite turn this into opportunities to score. Josaphat were resilient, defended well and again, took their opportunity when it presented itself, scoring a second with 15 minutes to go. A surprising defeat in a game that can be best described as “one of those days”. FT 2-0. MOTM Max.

3rds suffered their first loss of the season, losing a close game to 4th placed Charles-Quint. A looping effort just on the stroke of half time broke the deadlock. A few chances for both Quint and the 3rds were missed and the game became increasingly scrappy. FT 0-1.

Forfait by opposition

The 3rds went into today’s game against Patjes FC looking to maintain their unbeaten run and extend their winning streak. However, the conditions were the worst they’ve been all season and were certainly an obstacle to navigate.

The 3rds got off to a perfect start when Nazim pounced in the box to make it 1-0, scoring his first goal for the club. The conditions affected the flow of the game and both teams needed to adapt. Antoine pull off an amazing save from a Patjes free kick which looked to be sneaking in under the bar. FCI 3 created a lot of good attacking movements and combinations but couldn’t add to their lead. Some more good work from Antoine ensured the 3rds went into half time 1-0 up. 

The 3rds dominated play from the start of the second half and Patjes found it difficult to create much for themselves. Eventually this domination resulted in us adding to the lead, through a perfectly placed shot from outside the box by Tim. As Patjes started to tire, the 3rds maintained their pressure. A shot from the side of the box by Achraf was spilt by the keeper, Piet was on hand to tap into an empty net. Some complacency in the play set in after the 3rd goal and Patjes managed to score against the run of play. Our substitutions added a lot of freshness to the play and the 3rds went back on the front foot. Gavin played a nicely weighted ball into an oncoming Shane who finished to make it 4-1 and put the game to bed. The 3rds go marching on! MOTM Tim. 

The 3rds maintained their winning streak with a gritty win away to Pharma Sc 2. The first half had few clear cut chances with both teams sluggish after the Christmas pints and festivities. 3rds started the second half playing some beautiful football but couldn’t manage to finish off their free flowing moves. With 12 minutes to go, Gavin stepped up to a free kick from 25 yards out. With a 50/50 chance of the ball going into Row Z, Gav channelled his inner Juninho / Beckham / Nakamura to send the ball curling sumptuously into the top corner. Despite the ref playing for an extra 20 minutes, the 3rds held firm. Brilliant cameos from Josh and Benoit ensured another clean sheet and the 3 points. MOTM Gavin and Matt Sims.

Invictus! The thirds kept today their invicibility and got their 5th win on a row. Our opponent, Rapid Mymol, a solid and physical team show determination but so did we and to that we add realism. As usual Shane found the key after a great service from team. Then on a good free kick from team Achraf shot the ball in as Mymol could not clear the ball out of the box. On 2nd half Mymol raised their intensity but we stayed solid and quickly scored a 3rd 5mn into the 2nd half. A great cross from Piet on the right wing found Shane (who else) who turned football into art controlling the ball feet in extension not facing the goal and then volleying with the other feet the ball leaving absolutely no chance to the goalkeeper. Our opponent pushed to get at least one goal and they got a lucky one at the very end of the game but we were very solid throughout the whole game. Another great victory! Achraf MOTM. One more game before end of the year to get another win so we can get drunk and fat during Christmas holidays.

FCI 3rds made the short trip to Rue Kelle today to play Bleu-blanc, on a very cold December afternoon. 

The 3rds started on the front foot and kept possession well, dominating the play. After 5 mins, Francois’ shot was pushed out by the Bleu-blanc keeper and Shane pounced on it to make it 1-0. The 3rds continued to dominate the rest of the first half but couldn’t quite add to their advantage. 

The 2nd half continued in the same way until Piet added a second goal to make it 2-0. His first goal in over two years was much deserved as he has returned to fantastic form of late coming back from a bad injury during that time. Bleu-blanc started to tire and the 3rds relentless style of play paid off again when a through ball from Mathias (on his debut) found Shane who flicked the ball in front of the defender to create a one on one with the keeper, finishing well to make it 3-0. Moments later, Bleu-blanc grabbed what was ultimately a consolation goal through a free kick. 3-1. There was just a few moments left at this point but FCI 3rds didn’t take their foot off the gas and won the ball back brilliantly inside the Bleu-blanc half, Achraf picked up the ball and lobbed the keeper. A great finish and his 2nd lobbed goal of the season. A perfectly weighted Ball from Piet into Shane’s path and finished into the corner made it 5-1 and a third hat trick of the season for Shane. The defence smothered anything Bleu-blanc created throughout the game and made it a frustrating day for them. It was the ultimate team performance. The quality of football was outstanding, as was the work-rate, togetherness and overall performance. The 3rds unbeaten run extends to 12 with 4 wins on the bounce. MOTM Shane. 

The 3rds went into this game seeking their third win a row. With the winter sun shining and little wind, the game got off to the perfect start with Max volleying home from a corner after 5 minutes. It came from a good cross put in by Gav that beat the first man. While New Inn began to come into the game themselves, Ireland continued to put strong passages of play together with quality interchanges and movement right across the pitch. Aside from some promising set piece positions, there were few clear chances for either side in the first half.

Pattern of play was similar in the second half. Ireland continued to win a lot of corners but couldn’t convert to put the game to bed. New Inn had a good actor in defence repeatedly going down theatrically, which broke up play. Ireland maintained their intensity and saw the game out well, with some last-ditch tackling from New Inn near the death keeping the score as it was. 1-0 FT. The 3rds remain unbeaten after 11 games.

Today FCI Men III met the occupants of 1st place in the league. The first half was totally in our possession with a passing game and repeated attacks. FCI III had a great chance when Freyr received the ball 20m out and hit the ball nicely but it came off the left post. A few minutes later, a deflected ball from a corner fell to the back post and FCI III took the lead, Shane scored. Saint Georges surprised us on the counter attack and equalised soon after to make it 1-1. We had two chances to score from free kicks. The Saint Georges keeper saved the first, touching it onto the crossbar. The second free kick was played perfectly into the centre of the box from Sergiu with the help of the wind, the ball glanced off the head of a Saint Georges defender and went in the goal, 2-1.

In the second half, they attacked in force through their number 7 dribbling in from the wing and he placed an unstoppable shot, 2-2. We tried to take the lead again in the last 10 minutes, but shots from P.A., Piet and Faz were blocked. MOTM Freyr, well done on his debut and great game. FT again 2-2.

3rds had a hard fought draw versus league leaders Rapid Tamtam. Matt Sims playing his first ever game in nets made a 1v1 save like a seasoned pro early on before Mihai played Faz through who calmly slotted it bottom corner. 1-0 HT. Early in the second half, Tamtam were awarded a bizarre penalty as one of their players had the misfortune of running into Max as he tried clearing. 1-1. 3rds went ahead again with some beautiful combination play between Pierre-Antoine, Rodrigo, Mihai, well finished by Gav. Tamtam were fairly awarded a second penalty with 5 to go to make it 2-2. 3rds remain undefeated through 7 games.

3rds won 2-0 away to Foot Josaphat with their best performance of the season.

After controlling much of the first half and making a number of chances, the 3rds got their opener with a sumptuous ball to the back post from Wilf for Javi to hit off the post and finish at the second attempt.

The second half started much the same although Christian came to the rescue on a number of occasions.

3rds controlled the game and finally got the 2nd goal via a beautiful move with Tim putting Javi through to score. 3rds remain unbeaten and hopefully stay 3rd in 3B.

FCI 3 were playing their first home game of the season today and went into the game still unbeaten.

Charles-quint started the better of the two teams and dominated much of the first half. Antoine pulled off a string of good saves to keep the game scoreless. 0-0 at half time. FCI 3 started the second half well but went behind from a corner 5 minutes in. The game needed a spark and the substitutions helped to change the pattern of play. Half way through the second half, FCI 3 won the ball back and looked to counter attack. As the Charles-quint goalkeeper was far off his line, Achraf tried an audacious lob from 40 yards. The goalkeeper scrambled back but the shot was hit perfectly and snuck in under the bar. 1-1. Contender for goal of the season.

FCI 3 came alive after the equaliser but Charles-quint went ahead again through a crossed ball which was headed in at the far post.

With 5 minutes to go, Charles-quint were very aggrieved with a foul given against them outside the box. The subsequent free kick was saved by their goalkeeper and went out for a corner. The corner was played in, fell to Ignasi whose shot was blocked on the line. Shane followed up on the chance and blasted it into the roof of the net. 2-2.

A Charles-quint player was red-carded at the very end of the game and FCI 3 pushed to get the winner but the game eventually ended 2-2.

Antoine MOTM.

Forfait

A hard-fought 2-2 draw away to Rapid Mymol for the 3rds. Javi and Shane connected beautifully for two goals to put us up early in the second half. A top corner direct free kick for Mymol brought them back into it and knocked our confidence a bit. Two glorious chances to make it 3-1 and kill the game were unfortunately wasted and Mymol equalised with a sweeping counter-attack. Lots of positives to take away against a team that finished 4th in their league last year and excellent debuts for Lars, Alex and Peter.