FC Irlande Ladies 1

FC Irlande began in a 4-5-1 and Sainte Ode began in a 4-3-3 with very high wingers.

1530 Game start with Irlande defending into a strong wind and Sainte Ode defending a goal full of mud. Sainte Ode plays an early through ball centrally that Olatz charges forward to clear to our right wing.
Generally, our defense is connecting well. Both FBs have shown pace and good instincts to cut out the oppositions passes.

12 min- Goal FC Irlande- Momo (8) scores a beautiful free-kick from ~40m- lofting a driven ball over a three-woman wall to the far-post upper corner of the goal.

14 min- Goal Sainte Ode- Opposing #10 plays a long lofted around the four woman wall to the far-post.  Olatz jumps to save, but the ball pushes past her fingertips.

Half-time: We handled well the heavy wind and ensuing pressure from Sainte Ode.  Ines has had an amazing match with ~10 smothers of clear chances to the opposing 11 or 3 and some great overlapping runs up the pitch.  Violette has been very strong in the 3 with several defensive headers to cut through passes and not been beaten by a single play.
50 min- Goal FC Irlande- Nawal (8) checks to Ines (7) to receive and uses a good skill move to turn upfield against the defending 6.  She plays a diagonal through ball behind the 5 who has stepped to her putting Momo (8) in on goal.  Momo holds off the opposing 4 and chips the charging keeper calmly to score.

56 min- Goal FC Irlande- Parker (9) checks onto a through ball from Mel (7) and drives a central cross.  Nawal (8) heads the cross through to Ines (11) who collects and calmly dribbles with back to goal in the box.  AJ overlaps inside and is played in 1v1 with the keeper.  AJ lays a slotted shot to the far post low on the keepers left.

60 min- Goal Sainte Ode- Handball penalty against AJ (6) at the edge of our penalty area.  Shot is driven low and to the keepers right.  The goal is a muddy mess, and Olatz doesn’t get a touch.

81 min- Goal Sainte Ode- through ball from the opposing 7 put Sainte Ode 1v1 with Olatz (1).  Olatz makes a slap save to her left and low, but the ball is spilled directly in the path of the attacker who scores.

Full Time- 3-3.  Sainte Ode fans are cheering like they won the match, and we can’t help but feel like we left points on the table.  This always seemed like a weekend that we needed to survive with so many injuries, sicknesses, and last minute cancellations, then the weather and calls seeming to go against us.  Throughout the day, most of the team was playing in unfamiliar positions and handled well their responsibilities and attitude.

For their second game of the season, first one away, the ladies in green went with a full squad to Loyers, to play one of the toughest and most technically skillful teams of the league. Sarah brilliantly covered their best player giving her no room to breathe. Parker challenged their defense accompanied by Louise and Cintia. Momo and Magda kept a tight midfield, allowing no passes through. Isa, Geanni, Michel and Rebecca in the defensive line took Loyers’ attacks apart and didn’t let them through. Yet, in spite of keeping a tight formation and having a couple of great shots, the ladies ended up the first half losing 4-0.

Thanks to the great coaching and words of encouragement from Ben and Hélène, the ladies went onto play the second half with renewed forces and a clear strategy in mind. The ladies played their beautiful game and gave loyers a very hard time, scoring not one (Parker), not two (Mel) but three (Parker) goals! Goes without saying also thanks to the timely additions of Mel, Nawal, Priscila and Lilly who helped the team to push harder and end with a great 4-3 score.

All in all, one of those matches the ladies can be proud of despite not bringing the 3 points home. Shout out, to the amazing ladies who came to complete the squad even having played a previous match on the same day. And to our supporters, especially to the youngest and MVP, Sutton.

Sunny and warm, very warm, day at Auderghem to play the first game of the season of our LADIES I against CS PAYS VERT OSTICHES-ATH, champion of P1 last year and recently promoted to D2.

We had some fresh faces out there – Rebecca, our new central defender, who will definitely become a brick wall this season, and we welcomed back Nawal and Geani after a season break from FCI. It’s great to have them back on board !

Our Girls in Green started strong, but CS PAYS VERT OSTICHES-ATH brought some serious game too. They were building up some good actions until FC Irlande decided to show their magic. Louise stole the spotlight with a stunning long shot, earning the team their first goal. Momo made it two with a penalty shot after Mel was tripped in the box. In the second half, Mel worked her magic again, scoring the third goal for the girls in green.
Our ladies fought till the very last minute, and they shut it down with a clean sheet.

And let’s not forget to give a shoutout to the fantastic new coaches, Ben and Helene; they’re doing a stellar job.

Exciting season for our ladies 1 ! See you next Saturday at Loyers !!