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Where were you on Friday the 22nd of March 2024 when FC Ireland played against SC Ixelles?
For years to come, this question will be asked over and over again. In pubs, in metros, at family gatherings, and in the streets of Buenos Aires. If you, Dear Reader, did not spend it at the Stade Albert Demuyter (Field 1), I regret to say that it will haunt you for the rest of your life. Let me therefore offer you some solace through a few paragraphs, and take you back to that historical evening.
It was cold and the rain was pounding on the artificial straws of grass. Despite the conditions (and the late hour for such an occasion), the Ladies in Green marched proudly on to the field, ready to take on the higher ranked opponent. The whistle rang and a game of the most beautiful sport in the world began.
The first 45 minutes showed clearly that this was not a battle fought hiding in the trenches. Both teams wanted to take the control of the game, the possession was shifting constantly. The wings had to work hard as the centre was blocked and Ixelles tactic was clearly to play down the wings to their quick attackers. FC Ireland did not run out of ammunition and the opponents goalkeeper had to stay sharp to handle the counter-attacks.
At halftime, CPT DOF Stobbs, a legend among coaches and a God among motivational speech writers, lit up the fighting spirit. The tired, bloody and bruised green soldiers were now ready for another round.
The second part started like the first, physical with sliding tackles taking place around the field. In the 55th minute, Ixelles got a freekick outside the box and did not waste the opportunity. It was 1-0. However, the sound of the home fans fire works was silenced only 12 minutes later, as Tiittula got the ball outside the box, smooth touch with her stronger left, surprises by moving the ball to her right and takes a shot. The ball hit the net in the left corner and FC Ireland had risen again.
Ixelles was desperately trying to reach the 3 points they had expected, but the warriors of centre defence Vuorenlinna and Joyce, continuously sacrificed themselves by heading away ball after ball through the smoke of the flares. The shots Ixelles managed to get on target were each time met by gloves worn by a legend, “Mariana, Mariana” the green crowds sang in excitement.
Dear Reader, I wish I had the time to take you through each second of this evening. I wish I could recite all the phenomenal performances of each player, but I cannot. So Dear Reader, if there is one name I want you to remember from Friday the 22nd of March 2024, that is the name of Willemyns. The pride of Argentina and Auderghem, was everywhere. She ran, she tackled, she headed, and meanwhile she smiled, because she knew, this was the night of the Greens and no one was going to get pass her.
The FCI Ladies II decided to well celebrate the Saint Patrick’ eve with a nice and deserved victory and a really well played match against Chastre (4-2).
At 19.30, the ball was in the middle, and it was for Chastre to kick off the match. The Ladies in green immediately showed that this would not have been an easy match for Chastre and they put a strong pressure on the opponents. Lotta, Vilja and Rebecca, did not leave Chastre breathing and Chastre was not able to pass the middle of the pitch.
Few minutes after the start of the game, Jenny took the control of the ball and Chastre had to make a fault to stop her. Jenny, in charge of the free-kick, made a nice long ball which was deviated by Adina in front of the feet of Lotta who, with a perfect calm, made a nice control, fixed the goalkeeper and put the ball in the goal on the first post.
1-0 for the FCI Ladies (5’).
Few minutes later was the time of Adina. In particular good shape and with a lot of motivation, Adina decided to give headache to the opponents. With some dribbles on the rights and some on the left, she brought herself just outside the penalty and with two nice shots she brought (9’ and 12’) FCI Ladies II to the score of 3-0…
The only solution that the Chastre found was to kick long balls. On one of this long ball, Chastre took the control and shot. Mariana was ready to defend her goal and to block the shot but the ball bounced back in front of the attacker of Chastre who shot again and scored (3-1) (35’).
The referee sent the two teams to the dressing room for the break. The match started again with few changes in the lines of the FCI.
But the rules of the game imposed by the FCI did not change with the girls in green always pushing and Chastre struggling to create some opportunities.
At 86’, Lotta took the ball and with a nice run on the left side of the pitch and dribbling few opponents, she entered in the area and made a perfect pass to Vilja (coming from behind and making herself free from any markings) who with a solid shot put the ball in the goal (4-1).
Chastre had only the time to reduce the score (4-2) taking advantage of some confusion in the area of the FCI after a free-kick. The win is well deserved for the FCI Ladies II.
Well done FCI!
Last Saturday evening, FC Irlande Ladies 2 faced R. Union St. Gilloise at a home game. FC Irlande comes to the game being expected to have the upper hand, since they hold a position slightly above R. Union in the league, and won their previous game against R. Union 1-4. However, the ladies were aware that this was not going to be an easy game.
The first half, despite FCI dominating in possession of the ball throughout the half, ended 1-2. The opposition scored two free-kicks from the same position, at minutes 20 and 43.
To make the score 1-2, after a rough collision with the R. Union goalkeeper and Lotta, Parker scored an amazing on the ground free-kick at minute 36. (Special thanks to Parker for helping out again)
The ladies came on to the second half strong.
Violette dribbled through to make the score tied at minute 71. Not long after, at minute 81, Lily scored a beautiful header from a corner-kick. FCI kept giving their all, with high morale, and a good team spirit. The ladies were able to keep up this good effort until the end, making the final score 3-2. The whole team can truly be proud of their achievement.
And to keep up the tradition of literary excellence on these match reports, I will end this match report on a little poem:
Roses are red, violets are blue, FCI Irlande won this time too!
Friday evening girls in green headed to Belgian countryside to face Walhain. Some of our main players got back from a break, Lotta and Marianne, giving a fresh air to the group.
Before game starts, the referee lines up both teams for what seems to be a honest fair play speech. Some opponents though weren’t paying attention to this part. It feels like prediction of the game to come.
First whistle blows, the game starts very well for FCI, everybody is pumped to take a good outcome back to Auderghem and also celebrate it afterwards in great style in Marianne’s place.
Thanks to the greatest Parker, top scorer of our women’s section so far, who came help us out this evening we could start winning 1×0 after only 3 minutes. Her powerful shot shows why she’s such a key player for the club.
Among all possibilities ladies had, another one only 8 minutes later presents to our dear Jenny after a corner and some rebounds in the adversary’s box. Jenny with no mercy manages to put the ball inside their net. Now ladies now are 2 goals ahead.
Girls shared the same feeling that this time the wind would blow in our favour and we would have a positive outcome after those 90 minutes.
As the match goes, Pri receives a great pass from Parker, with just one opponent ahead she tried to get hid of her and shoot, however, the adversary stops her stepping on her foot. A penalty is conceded in our favour. Although aiming for one of the goal sides, unfortunately Pri’s penalty execution ends in goalkeeper hands, in the middle of the goal.
Heads up, we are 2×0 first half with great possibilities, and leading by far the attacking side of the pitch.
Approaching the end of first half, at 36′, Walhain gets a free kick. After some rebounds, one of their player, in offside position receives the ball, almost on our endline and shoots straight to our goal. Although she was clearly offside by perhaps half a meter, the “fair play” referee whistles and points to the centre of the pitch breaking spirit of a good match.
Teams go back to their rooms to discuss about second half and a couple changes are performed.
Back to the pitch, now Walhain, just 1 goal behind gets energised. For great part of second half they managed to keep girls in green in their defense field. Game becoming a bit more dangerous, however we kept our solidity and didn’t concede any goals.
Some other changes on the team and now we try to keep the ball in our attacking side. Match approaching the end, we could start feel the right outcome coming slowly after too many minutes in an unfair war.
At some point, our opponents earn a corner. Number 21 of opposite team, which made a scene throughout the whole game goes after Mariana to bother her, of course.
Last action is now permitted by the referee. A very good corner is taken, the ball flows in parallel with our goal, just few centimetres of our ladies, to then end up with the opponent and they put it inside our net.
Ball goes to middle of the pitch for a restart. Whistle blows to restart and immediately it blows again announcing the end of the match.
A loss is never easy to digest. Let me tell you a tale. After a solid warm up FC Ireland Ladies 2 commenced, eagerly, their game against Boitsfort. Unfortunately, Boitsfort was equally eager and scored their first goal very quickly. FC Ireland did not let this put their heads down. Stepping up to each ball and creating combinations allowed Gillian, with her amazing hustle and determination to score the first goal. Many more shots were taken including a beautiful shot by Pauline that just nicked the crossed bar. The defensive line remained strong. Once again, with hustle and determination, Clelia, with her defender moves, slammed the ball into the back of the net. FC Ireland stood strong, but Boitsfort had more. They snuck in a goal after the half and were able to secure another goal in the last minutes making them win the game. As I said, losing is not easy to digest, but it is part of the game and one must learn to move forward positively in order to improve. Team dynamics is what it is called. How will we act and think among team members to improve? How will we self-motivate and bring confidence to each team member? These are questions that we can ask ourselves so we can move forward as a team. And remember we’re here to have fun. Go FC Ireland!
It was a Sunday morning, there was some sunlight coming through the clouds after so many rainy weeks in Belgium, and we could almost feel the warmth on the countryside pitch in Jodoigne.
Jodoigne is a little village located about 50 Km out of Brussels, not much happening there. To find some interesting action in the town, you have to go all the way back to 1568 when in the Battle of Jodoigne, one of the early battles of the Eighty Years’ War, the Spanish Duke of Alba defeated a Dutch rebel force under William the Silent. Anyway, in that same village a football match was played by L2 against a strong local opponent, lessons that will make us stronger were learned…and now go on to our much-needed season break.
Last weekend Ladies ll went up against a strong outfit, Wavre. The first half started well for Irland. Good combinaisons between the players who led to a goal scored by Gillian Bartlett after 10 minutes. Irland continued playing quickly with good possession but unfortunately Wavre had a penalty just before the half time, who was taken by they captain who scored. Second half was more complicated, with a lot of pressure from both team. The game ended 1-1.
This Saturday night ladies II went against Ixelles in Auderghem. A team that have been excelling this season. So we knew it would be a though game.
The first half started with a lot of pressure from their side, making it hard for us to get out of our half. Their Midfields were very good and physical. We manage to hold the 0-0 thanks to an amazing save on the line from AJ. After that, we got our head in the game and matched their play. Leading to the end of the first half without many chances on both sides.
We started the second half better. Until around the 60′ when they manage to slip through our defence and score the first goal. That goal made us loose our focus and they quickly scored the 0-2 and the 0-3. We managed to get back in the game and stood strong once again until they got the final corner kick of the game where they scored their fourth and last goal.
In this week’s match, FC Irlande had their first defeat of the season, falling 2-1 to FC Wahlain. The early stages of the game saw FC Wahlain seize an opportunity through a swift counter-attack, with Marie Bande finding the net in the 10th minute. FC Irlande, however, rallied back, exhibiting a potent attack and a resolute defense for the remainder of the first half. Gillian Bartlett managed to level the score just before halftime at the 39th minute.
The second half witnessed continued pressure from FC Irlande on FC Wahlain’s defensive line, resulting in numerous scoring opportunities, albeit with unfortunate misses. Both sides engaged in a high-intensity, fast-paced game, with Bande from FC Wahlain securing a second goal late in the second half in the 75th minute. Despite FC Irlande’s sustained offensive efforts, FC Wahlain held firm in defense to preserve their lead and secure the victory.
The fourth game of the season took place on a crispy autumn day in beautiful Auderghem. Ladies 2 were ready to welcome a new local rival, R.R.C. D’Etterbeek, who were promoted to P1 for this season. While our friends from Etterbeek were hungry to win their first points of the season, the green ladies were just as determined to continue their unbeaten streak.
Only three minutes after the kick-off whistle, FC Irlande hit the net for the first time, after a beautiful interplay between Gillian and Priscila. Etterbeek kept their cool and continued challenging the Irish defense. Thanks to the great discipline of our fullbacks Lily and Alicia, the opponent’s attacking attempts were stopped time and again. Several dangerous passes and attacking attempts were also intercepted by our solid central defender AJ and the Finnish midfield engine duo Lotta and Vilja.
After several good attempts following quick runs from Marianne (a.k.a ”the Happiest Winger on Earth”) and great passing in the center, the ball hit the net again in the 32nd minute. Another two goals for FCI were buried in the net before the halftime break, including a beautiful shot from our tireless Rebby.
With a safe 4-0 lead for the second half, our FCI ladies could have safely relaxed and settled for a quiet second half. But instead, the remaining 45 minutes turned out to be at least as good a spectacle as the first half. With always hard-working Su and Shadia’s lively legs on the field, there was a lot left to give. Shadia did a strong job as usual and slipped beautifully past Etterbeek’s defenders and slammed in an elegant goal. A great long run on the left side by fullback Lily and a clean finish resulted in yet another goal. And above all – the Priscila Show was far from over. Her goal balance for the night ended with no less than six goals (hooray! And happy birthday)!
The Etterbeek side did not stop fighting despite the merciless FCI scoring machine. They created a couple of attempts, which were all safely stopped by our wall Mariana. Some great coaching by Martin also kept the FCI defenders focused and motivated to keep a clean sheet throughout the game.
With a final score of 9-0 for the greens, the post-game beers tasted sweeter than ever.
Special kudos to our iron women Priscila and AJ who warmed up before the game by driving almost all the way to Luxembourg to play with FCI Ladies 1. Another word of praise for Alicia and Alex, who stepped in to strengthened the Ladies 2 squad. That’s some real club spirit!
WELL DONE LADIES!
On this sunny Saturday FC Ireland Ladies 2 met against White Star.
On Saturday, 9 September the Ladies 2 team took on a challenge against a team who had dominated them on the pitch last season. The Ladies, after training diligently all of pre-season and winning their first match of the season 4-1, played a long and intense match against RFC Saint-Michel A. For most of the first half the ladies kept the score at 0 as the intensities rose as both teams fought hard for a goal, until Priscila scored their first goal from just outside the penalty box in the 36th minute. Their spirits were raised and they were all excited their trainings had paid off, but they all stayed focus and finished the match with a score of 1-0. GO IRELAND!
What a beautiful day to be wearing green. The sun was shining, quite strongly for Belgian standards, but Ladies 2 was ready to embark on their first game of the season.
Union Saint Gilloise had moved up from P2 and gave all their might the second the game started, but FC Ireland showed a deeper strength that brought them a glorious victory.