Lorraine RFC 2

First game of 2023 on home turf and Nossegem welcomed the boys in green and their today’s opponent La Lorraine with typical January conditions – light rain and stormy winds, making the whole playing-quality-football element of the game much more difficult to achieve.

FCI, starting downwind, took the initiative, but did not manage to create much danger in the opponents box. Rather after the first 10-15 minutes La Lorraine started to get more into the game and contributed to the first half highlights by hitting the outside of the post and, luckily for us, blowing a 1-on-1 after a bad pass and a turnover in the midfield. First half ended 0-0.

Second half and FCI prepared itself mentally for the wind and rain in their faces and difficulties in getting the ball up. Similarly to the first half the team playing upwind suffered more in the beginning, but then started to recover. No major chances from either side, until 15 min into the half La Lorraine received a free kick from 20 metres and their forward curled it beautifully over keeper’s fingers to the back top corner. 0-1. This made boys in green just more frustrated and this time this frustration was put in the right place. FCI continued to press and about 5-10 minutes later, after a fight for the ball in the midfield, the ball ended at Amadou’s feet on the edge of box. First shot was a bulls-eye in to the defenders jewels, but reacting fast, Amadou put the rebound neatly next to the post for 1-1.

Though FCI still managed to get the ball dangerously to the box a few times, that’s where it ended. Overall a good game, against good opponents, although faces in the locker room showed that there was hunger for more. But we’ll bring this hunger to the next game next week.

During one of the maybe last splendid Saturday’s of the year, the Irish convincingly showed their determination at the Lorraine’s pitch to follow up with their good start into the season. A good half was early on marked by strong pressure on the opposite defense. Gaby, in a sly way, seized the ball from the last defender and got it in the low right back. 1-0 for Irelande. The first half was pretty much dominated by the Greens. Amadou and Benji had opportunities, our midfield dominated.However, Lorraine attacked severely at the beginning of the first half and surprised our team with an early equalizer. The Greens started to lose a bit of discipline and the easy game flow it displayed in the first half. Some opportunities in the box have not been seized and Lorraine consequently scored the winning goal. Final result, 2-1. Fc Irelande 2 knows they can do better and will rise next week, without a doubt 💚🤍