FC Irlande Men 4

4ths were focused and motivated today for this big game against our competitors for the 3rd position.
They made our saturday less exciting but easier than expected.
They showed up with 9 players only and received 6 goals in less than 25 minutes.

Final score is 7-1 for the 4ths.
Goals are scored by:
– Draga *3 (who finishs club top scorer with 21 goals)
– Michal *2
– Alvaro (thx 2nds for your help this season)
– Nick

The important is to improve year after year. We were 6th 2 years ago, 5th last season and now we end up 3rd.
Our highest finish ever.

So it’s a great and very positive season for the 4ths!

We will be there next season for more and better.

4ths played away against LTC 4 on a very difficult pitch. We started well against a tough and physical team and created a few chances. Eventually Manu scored after 20 minutes with a direct freekick. LTC got better in second half, but Christan in goal and Villu and Benoit as centre backs had it all under control. Mid second half Nick scored on a counter and decided the game. Full time 2:0.
MoM Villu

4ths come back from Nivelles with the 3 points.
We started the game well and should have scored 2 or 3 goals in the first 10 minutes.
Unfortunately we weren’t accurate or killer enough.
As it always happens, the opponent almost scored on their only opportunity but Matteo made an amazing save! The score was still 0-0 with 20 minutes left. That’s when we made our substitutions and changed formation for a 3-5-2.
In the last 15 minutes of the game, our pressing and attempts became successful with 3 goals scored by our attackers.
Draga for his goal 18 of the season, Costi and Michal gave us the 3 points!
Final score 0-3, Motm Draga and Costi.
We continue to target the 3rd position.

3 points more for the 4ths today after a difficult but great fight.

We started well and dominated the first half.
It could have been more goals but we ended up this 1st half winning 1-0 after the goal number 16 of the season for Draga, enjoying a mistake from his defender.
He stole the ball and won his face to face against the keeper.

The 2nd half was more difficult for us playing uphill and their equalizer was actuall deserved. They enjoyed one of our defensive mistake.
It was 1-1 and it looked like it would be the final score.

But at the last minute of the game, and in our last corner, the miracle happend: 1st goal of the season for us in a corner!
Fabi shot it, Villu disturbed the keeper and Draga headed the ball inside! 2-1 final score.

Maybe not very deserved, but definitely very enjoyable!

Fourths had a weak start against Gecko 2. Low intensity led to Gecko scoring with their first chance after only 3 minutes. Slowly we gained control over the game and Draga equalised. A couple of missed chances, including a penalty, were punished by Gecko, who scored their second goal with their second chance.
After halftime, we continued to play patiently and subsequently equalised again. Peppe scored with an absolute banger from 30 meters. We continued to stay on top and could finally convert some of our many chances. Draga with his second strike, Michal, and Benjamin Verdin put 4ths three goals ahead.
Gecko could only convert a freekick in the last minute.
Overall a good performance with good team spirit. We never gave up despite being behind twice.
Final result 5:3 for 4ths.
Draga MoM.

A bit of a chaotic afternoon for the 4ths today with some players getting late at the game, some last minutes injuries, no referee, and only 1 point at the end of the game.

We started the game well, as a block, as a solid team trying to protect our unusual keeper today, Diego.

After a few missed chances, we managed to score by Draga in the middle of the 1st half with a beautiful individual goal.
He was just faster than their defense and put it in easily.
1-0 HT for the 4ths and it was totally deserved.

We suffered in the 2nd half, started to get tired and couldn’t really make substitutions. Opposition got a penalty 3 minutes before the end of the game to score the 1-1.

Disappointing but fair result.
1-1 at the end but that point still gives us hope to reach the podium this season.

MotM Diego.

Season forfeited by Lunette

4ths won 2-0 today for our 2nd consecutive win!

The pitch was terrible, the opponent not amazing and our 14 guys very serious and solid.
We started the game well and had the ball possession and the best opportunities during the 1st half.
We managed to score this important first goal with a clinical finish from Alvaro after a nice assist from Fabian.
2nd half was more a fight to defend this very important goal and we finally scored the 2-0 with the 1st goal at FCI from Benjamin Verdin (assist from Alvaro).

Very solid performance overall and an important 3 points to maintain us in the podium fight.

MOTM: David

4ths were playing a tough game vs the team directly behind them in the table, looking to rectify an unjust draw away earlier in the season. With some much appreciated help from the club, we put together a strong squad and set about trying to get the 3 points. Both teams found it difficult to play beautiful football on a tricky pitch in the 1st half. The opposition reverted to long ball and managed to create an opening and after a mix up between defence and GK they managed to score. We persevered and pushed forwards to find the equaliser, and thankfully shortly before half time the ball fell to Nick outside the box and he put a beautiful shot into the far corner for 1-1 at half time. 2nd half the game was fairly even although our goal never really came under much threat. 12mins ago, Alvaro received the ball and dribbled 1-2 guys and slotted home a nice strike. We then showed good game management to see out the remaining time for a great 3 points to get us back on track.

Season forfeited by Erenler Genclik

4ths played away against 2nd placed Breu under difficult circumstances. A few late drop outs due to covid an injury but that didn’t stop us putting up a big fight. An early goal was conceded with a good shot from outside the box by Breu. We settled eventually and started to dominate possession throughout the rest of the game but unfortunately clear cut chances were hard to come by. Despite hitting the bar and a possible penalty turned down, we couldn’t quite find an equaliser for a deserved draw. We go again in 2 weeks!

Very frustrating last game of the year for the 4ths.
We lost 3/1 against a team which was just below us in the classification.
We outplayed them in the 1st half and had plenty of clear chances but could only score 1 goal from Costi after an assist from Draga.
Game then stayed 1-1 for a very long time and the God of football was against us at the very end of the game.
We conceded an incredible own goal 1 minute before the end of the game and another one in the extra time.
A lot of positive things in term of football played today, a good 4th place in the league at the end of this year.
But…losing like that hurts.
We will be back!

4ths won 3-1 today.
3 important points against a team who played for not going down.
That wasnt an easy game and despite leading 2-0 early in the game thanks to Manu and Michal, we conceded a free kick before HT.
Our opponent really tried to get a point during the 2nd half but we hold very well, fought a lot and werent really in danger.
3rd goal came late in the game thanks to a beautiful long shot from Giuseppe after a good pressing from costi to steal the ball.
3-1 final score.
Motm: Vicente

1 point for the 4ths today against a direct opponent for the top 4 of the league.
Its a good point against a team who had beaten us 3-1 some weeks ago but…we deserved more today.

We conceded a stupid 1st goal after a mistake from our keeper but managed to come back and take the lead 2-1 before HT thanks to a goal from Michal tapping the ball in after a shot from Draga, and a goal from Fabian after basically dribbling the whole opponent defense.
2-2 just after HT with the opponent enjoying a 2nd defensive mistake. 4ths fought back and took the lead 10 mins before the end of the game with a penalty gained by Draga and scored by Fabian.
We didn’t manage to keep this score and conceded a beautiful header in a corner.
Lot of good things today, we can build on it.
Final score 3-3.

4ths was playing against the top of the league today, in the middle of nowhere.
It’s very easy to be motivated being the underdog, so we started like warriors and killed the game in the 1st half with 4 goals scored by Giuseppe (wonderful lob from 30m), 2 goals from Draga and a direct free-kick from Nick. 0-4 and it was just fair and deserved.
2nd half was just a fight with a lot of fouls, a lot of complains, cards and very little of football due to the terrible pitch and frustration from the opponent.
Job well done today, deserved 0-4 win for the 4ths.
Motm Vicente

4ths are back on the winning trail after 3 weekends without this nice taste of victory.
The 1st half was very open with the 4ths leading twice thanks to 2 same nice goals scored by Mihai and Giuseppe. But the opponent came back twice in the game scoring a couple of mins after we took the lead. HT 2-2.
In the 2nd half Costi showed us how efficient he can be. He scored the 3rd goal after a long ball from our defense and closed the game with a second personal goal after a nice 1-2 with Fabian.
Not the nicest game to play or watch but its an important victory.
The entire team deserved to be motm due to the fighting spirit we showed today but it was deserved for costi to win it.
4-2 final score. Costi motm.

2nd loss in a row for the 4ths.
Our opponent was very efficient and deserved their 2-0 lead at HT.
2nd half was much better from us but the brits didn’t miss the opportunity to score the 3rd goal after another one of our mistake.
We kept fighting and scored by Fabian.
Disappointing game from us but…season is long.

Fourths had a tough game against close opponents. The 1st half was tight with 4ths playing ok but errors at the back cost us and we conceded. Nick managed to find the net towards the end of the 1st half with a nice free kick. 2nd half we conceded to a rare opportunity for the opposition. When chasing the game, we conceded again and couldn’t find a suitable opening unfortunately. Final score 3-1 loss

4ths travelled north of Brussels to play ITT Gecko today with a strong squad, eager to get another 3 points.

Unfortunately the opposition had not come to play football but to defend, play tight, commit fouls and dirty tricks.

It was a tight game with not many chances for either team until the last 5 minutes. A late attack was launched which resulted in a penalty for FCI4. Fabian stepped up and did what he does best and finished it with ease. Big celebrations followed in anticipation of a win.

However, Gecko were not finished. The immediately attacked down their left wing, which resulted in the ball going obviously out of play. However, the referee inexplicably waved on and Gecko continued whilst FCI4 could not believe what was happening. A quick cross was immediately dispatched by Gecko for a literal last minute equaliser and broken hearts for the FCI4 boys.

An unfortunate draw and difficult to take in the circumstances but we soldier on!

MotM Vicente

3rd win in a row for the 4ths today.
Game started quite bad when Benoit’s 1st touch of the game was to take back the ball from inside our goal after a mistake from our defense. 0-1 after 5mins.
But we kept our heads up and tried to come back in the game. Their very good keeper kept a clean sheet at half time after a couple of very nice saves vs Fabian and Costi.
Costi equalized 5mins after the start of the 2nd half.
We changed formation and went fully offensive with a 3-5-2 to try and get those 3 points.
A couple of minutes before the end of the game, Nick delivered a beautiful pass to Draga in the back of their defense. With a bit of luck Draga managed to put this ball in and score his goal number 10 of the season.
It was a real fight today and a very difficult game. But those wins are the best ones.
2-1 final score (goals: costi, Draga. Motm: Nick)

2nd win in a row for the 4ths.
Very even 1st half with a very few opportunities.
The only goal in the 1st half came from a penalty very well referreed (by myself as the official ref didnt show up 😁). Fabian scored it.
With the lead, 4ths became very confident in the 2nd half and added 3 more goals in only 10 minutes. Rest of the game was just keeping a cleansheet.
Final score: 4/0

3 points for the 4ths today.
Dominant all the 1st half but we lacked of efficiency in attack and conceded a goal before HT after a direct free-kick. 0-1 HT.
Subs were great today and changed the game. 2nd half was a pleasure and we finally ended up winning the game 4-1.
2 goals from Draga, 1 from Manu and 1 from Fabian.
Man of the match Costi with 4 assists in 25 minutes.

2-2 for the 4ths today.
We took the lead early in the game and we were 2-0 up at half time after 2 new goals from Draga finishing 2 nice collective plays.
Unfortunately we werent able to keep this score and the opposition came back early in the 2nd half.
We had a couple of clear opportunities to take the 3 points. We ll take them next weekend

1st defeat of the season for the 4ths today.
We were never really in the game except the 1sts 15 mins.
The opposition scored in the middle of the 1st half with a long free kick in the back of our defense. Their striker just had to win the 1vs1 with our keeper. We made it too easy for them…
4ths equalized during the 2nd half with a wonderful direct free-kick from Draga. The keeper didnt even try to move. 1-1.
We had the feeling that the game was now totally ours but opposition scored a very surprising lob from 25 meters 10 mins before the end of the game.
The game was very tough, with an opponent constantly talking to the ref, diving, provoking….
We should have been smarter. Hopefully the lesson will be learnt for the future games.
Thoughts for Kevin who left the pitch injured. Didn’t look good but lets hope its nothing too serious.

The first day of the new season. During the trials and tribulations of multiple lockdowns and the heartache of last year’s aborted campaign, it felt at times as though this day would never come. And so the spirits were understandably high amongst the Fourths as, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, we merrily made our way to the sun-soaked Nossegem arena. Determined to start the ball rolling towards (inevitable) promotion, the boys in green were to produce an impressive performance, outrunning and outplaying the somewhat lacklustre opposition on their way to a commanding 4-1 win that was rarely in doubt.

Starting in our tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation, Irlande controlled the game from the off. In possession, we spread the play well and stretched the opposition defence, with wingers Mihai and Draga wreaking particular havoc down the flanks. Out of possession, we showed a tenacity and desire to win the ball back such as to warm the hearts of the captains. It was this tenacity that led to Irlande’s early breakthrough, as Thomas battled to win the ball in midfield before laying it off to Fabian. The latter proceeded to feed a delectable pass down the left to Draga, who slotted it in from a tight angle for the first of what would prove to be numerous debut goals. 1-0.

Irlande’s second came from a set piece. Alex attempted to place the ball in the bottom corner from a free kick just outside the box. His (admittedly rather tentative) effort was spilled by the opposition keeper into the feet of the onrushing Draga, who smashed it into the roof of the net. 2-0.

While Irlande’s back line of Diego, Roberto, Santi, and Felix was rarely troubled, dealing with any opposition threats seemingly with relative ease, Nivellois did manage to pull one back against the run of play. A pass through the middle saw their striker one-on-one with Matteo, who made a characteristically incredible save down to his left only to see the follow-up knocked past him. 2-1.

If Nivellous felt they managed to turn the tide and get a foothold in the match, they were rapidly disabused of that notion, as Irlande regained the two-goal cushion only moments later. The unstoppable attacking force of Fabian and Draga once again combined, and the latter blasted a daisy-cutter of a shot past the flailing Nivellois keeper to complete a spectacular debut hat-trick and send the adoring crowd (consisting primarily of uncle Costi) into rapture. 3-1.

The second half proceeded in much the same manner, with Irlande so dominant that Matteo confessed to feeling rather bored in goal. It seemed as though the fixture would be put beyond doubt when Irlande were awarded a penalty and Manu, showing the confidence and maturity of his years of ABSSA experience, stepped up to take it. Alas, he was to see his effort clip the side of the upright, as he let out a roar of untold anguish.

Never fear, however, for Manu was to redeem himself in style shortly thereafter. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he performed his signature turn before threading the sexiest of through balls behind the opposition defence and into the path of Fabian, who nonchalantly rounded the keeper to finish. 4-1.

All in all, a marvelous start to the season for the Fourths, and an extremely solid platform on which to build over the coming months. A special mention also to Diego and Goncalo who (while not quite scoring a debut hat-trick) put in extremely solid performances in their first competitive game for the Fourths.

Satisfying though it was, the day was tinged with more than a hint of sadness, as we said goodbye to our favourite frogs, Fugo (or Helix depending on your inclination). Hugo and Felix have been beloved and valued members of the Fourths, both on the pitch and, perhaps even more importantly, in Funky. They will be sorely missed <3

Goals: Draga x3; Fabian
MoTM: Draga