Match Report: FC Irlande 2-0 Braine Storming

FC Irlande returned to Nossegem this weekend to face a strong Braine Storming team. After a slow start, it was Sylvain who unlocked the defense with a brilliant Zidane-esque pass to Ciarán, who slotted the ball past the keeper off the post for the opening goal. 1-0.

Just two minutes later, Luke made a surging run, leaving the opposition keeper stranded as he calmly finished for his first goal of the season. The 2-0 lead gave us control, with the second half seeing some excellent passages of play, though we were unlucky not to score more.

Zizou Penouilh was the maestro in midfield, pulling the strings as the team cruised to a well-deserved 4th consecutive victory. The defense, led by a solid backline, never looked threatened for the full 70 minutes.

Next up: a trip to the Brits on the 11th of January to continue the momentum. Merry Christmas one and all🎄🎅

MOTM: Sylvain

On a cold, winter day in nossegem, the 2nds took on vetuso looking to end the year on a high.
The first half was a scrappy affair with the 2nds not playing to their usual standards and making errors that vetuso couldn’t capitalise on as they were a bang average team.
In the second half the 2nds were better and took the lead through a great cross by Lolo which Gaby expertly put in the net.
The 2nds were now fired up and almost got a second goal to kill the game..
What happened next will be spoken about for years( even by spectators on the side of the pitch)
A great tackle in the box by Nate was unfairly given as a penalty to vetuso ( who were complaining the whole game ) . They converted to make it 1-1.
After that with 2 red cards for the 2nds we had to dig deep to hold on for a point with a goal line clearance by Nate keeping it 1-1.
Overall, it was very disappointing to draw this match with such a bad call by the ref, but we have to keep our heads high and come back strong in the new year to have a good second half to the season.
Motm George who put in a great shift

As every weekend now, 4ths had a win or die game against a team we beat a month ago.
We started to game really well and should have scored 2 or 3 in the first 10 minutes by Alberto, but as too often this season we were not killer enough in front of the goal. 0-0 HT.
After some changes we were even more dominant and Matteo had litteraly nothing to do.
We finally got awarded a penalty by a great referring after a clear foul on Artem.
After having missed out last 6 penalties (yes. 6), Artem showed confidence and took it. 1-0.
The opponent then gave up and spent the last 10 mins insulting each other and insulting us.
Artem scored a 2nd penalty with 3 mins to go after a. handball on the box following a corner and good preasure from Fabi.

3 good points that maintain us in the fight for the relegation.
This will make christimas feel better and the beers tonight taste better.

2-0 win. Motm Artem

Despite a penalty save by Laurent and some other good saves, Vets2 lost 4-0 against Watermael. MOTM Jacob with a display of age not affecting performance on the pitch

Saturday morning home match for FC Irlande Ladies III which faces BX Brussels for the last match of the year.

FCI starts the game with an unusual but period-themed formation. The Christmas tree is brushed up after last season’s disastrous match against Waterloo. The first half goes smoothly and FCI confirms the good performances of the previous matches. The intensity and focus all over the field and organisation in defence stops any BX’s dangerous initiative. In the attacking phase, FCI has the possibility to score from a free-kick and a corner. However, FCI does not make the most out of these opportunities. The first half finishes with a 0-0 and a solid team performance.

FCI starts the second half with several changes in the formation while BX Brussels enters the pitch determined to win the game. BX breaches FCI’s defence from a corner and opens the scoring. Galvanised by this goal, BX pushes more and scores three more times. The FCI’s attacks in the second half are generally fruitless. The match ends 0-4.

We had two objectives for this match: scoring two goals and conceding less than five. At least, we have achieved one of them but the final result is unsatisfactory and the performance of the second half is far to be as good as the ones of the last matches. But this is not a heart-breaking match because of the defeat or the four goals. Alex, our captain, wall and lighthouse, played her last match for FCI. Her calm and confidence made us all feel safe knowing that whatever mistakes and setbacks would have occurred she was there to help and save us. She also holds the record for the highest number of own-goals in a single match (2) and we hope this record will always be hers. Alex leaves a hole in the field that will be hard, if not impossible, to replace. Working like a team and helping each other will be the only solution to recover from her absence.

Player of the match: Karissa

On Sunday, 8 December, FCI faces RCC D’Etterbeek for the second time in the season.

Etterbeek kicks off the match for the first half. Despite the absence of one of the usual strikers, FCI puts constant pressure on the Etterbeek’s defence. Continuing the good performance of the previous matches, FCI shows improved ball control and circulation as well as an increased ability to arrive at the opponent’s penalty area. The best scoring opportunity is made by Clém who anticipates everyone in the penalty area and makes a pass to Roxane who, having the ball on her weak foot, has a moment of hesitation and loses the moment to shoot towards an empty goal. The shot arrives but is comfortably stopped by Etterbeek. In the defensive phase, FCI controls Etterbeek and, except for a header stopped by an amazing Marina’s save and some corner-kicks, does not concede a lot to the opponent stickers. However, from one of these corner-kicks, the ball decides to go in. After this unfortunate episode, the first half ends 1-0 for Etterbeek.

For the second half, FCI enters the pitch knowing that the match is far from being over and if it continues playing like in the first half, the equaliser can be scored. At 53’, Clém finds Beaty in the penalty area who beats Etterbeek’s goalie with a ground shot. But the equaliser lasts only 10 minutes: a through ball cuts FCI’s defence, which does not intercept the pass, and finds Etterbeek’s winger who scores the 2-1 goal. FCI keeps pushing for the rest of the half but does not create scoring opportunities dangerous enough to worry Etterbeek. After a great effort, the match ends 2-1 for Etterbeek.

How foolish have we been to play while Mercury is retrograde? We should have expected wicked things to happen. In this match, we confirmed the good performances of the three previous matches and this time we also scored. There is still room for improvement to become more clinical and confident everywhere on the field and, in particular, in front of the goal.

Player of the match: Anna