ITT – Gecko FC 1

Weird thing happened to lads arriving to our home fort in Nossegem. A mirror was standing at the entrance, but looking in the mirror something was off and opposite to the logic.

It appeared that instead of the usual rain-soaked football pitch standing in the middle of a field where wind blows sideways, there was an arid pitch that had not seen rain for at least 12 hours, where veterans were already playing in sweltering double-digits heat. To our surprise we found out that we can climb into the mirror and naturally the lads climbed in.

Weird things continued in the world on the other side. Instead of our regular spacious Dastan Salehi named changing room we were crammed into a container that would have collapsed under our regular shalalala dance.

Even the game started with a ref different than the one originally allocated. However, at least he was still filling all the abssa certification requirements and delivered the expected quality.

The bizarre things continued in the game. Boys in green were chasing the ball, rather than controlling the game. When we wanted to hit the ball, we missed it. This was too much to handle and one of the counterattacks we were punished. 1-0 to the opponents and that’s how the first half ended.

Even in halftime, frustration dominated instead of camaraderie. But we quickly understood that this is not the real us and we went into the second half with a consensual promise to change things towards better.

Second half was indeed getting a minuscule step closer to the scenes familiar to long time FCI seconds fans. A mix of chaos with some good chances, but in the defence the opponents made is look as agile as Humpty Dumpty. Only, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men did not come to our help but rather the other side.

Trying to push higher from another counterattack the opponents managed to score one more goal. But we kept on fighting and soon we got one back from a marvellous free kick of Lolo – 2-1.

Unfortunately, another row of unlucky bounces put the ball on opponents’ foot and, undisturbed, they put it to the bottom corner of the net.

A shimmer of hope to save the game came still through Thomas, whose head directed in Lolo’s corner. In the last minute, Matteo was about to get through for a 1 on 1 with the keeper, but was pulled down by the opponents’ last man at the price of a yellow card.

Final whistle and 3-2 loss to boys in green. No shalala to check the construction of the containers. Just understanding that the reality on the other side of the looking glass sucks and we have to get serious and do our best to get back to the good old wast next Saturday at the same place.

MOTM – Lolo

Today the boys received ITT-Gecko in Nossegem on a windy and rainy morning. The begging of the game was very divided between both teams, until the 25th minute where Ireland started to take control of the game. With beautiful passes and creating chances, Irlande got a penalty, making it 1-0 as João converted from the penalty spot! 1-0 at halftime
Second half comes and Irlande was too low in the pitch, Gecko was taking charge and got a penalty, but, after losing control of his emotions, the gecko player who suffered the penalty, got sent off after tackling Matteo as if he was in the octagon. After the mess cleared up, it was 1-1. Game continued, Ireland a man up, suffered a goal at the 68th minute from a long free kick. Two minutes to go.
Ireland is now pushing and in the middle of the confusion in Gecko’s box, Matteo with a beautiful finish, ties the game, 2-2, 70th minute. Ireland rushed the ball into the centre of the pitch, the boys wanted a win!! Last minute of the game, free kick, Brioche is taking the ball…a beautiful cross comes on to find Villu, that with a beautiful header, gives the lead to FC Ireland!! 3-2 and it’s the final whistle!!! Ireland gets the 3 points, 5 wins in a row!! Keep it up boys!!! 💚🤍🧡

MOTM : Matteo ! 🎻