On Sunday, 30 March, FC Irlande Ladies III welcomes RAS Jodoigne for the last home match of the season. Already the pre-match is greatly eventful: changes in defense, bleeding noses, attempts of socks stealing caught on camera and tests on the reliability of Schuman metro station.

FCI starts the match with an unusual formation, a 3-4-2-1. This formation works well, especially in the offensive phase and already, during the first half, FCI has different opportunities to score. The first chance to score comes from Roxanne, who finds the right space to penetrate Jodoigne’s defensive line and, almost in front of the goalie, decides, instead of taking a shot, to pass to Viktorija. But the ball is intercepted by Jodoigne’s defence. Despite the good team performance, a moment of distraction leads to Jodoigne’s opening goal at 26’. FCI does not lose its heart and stays focused and determined to keep playing its game. On the left, Meryl and Sophie create great combinations together that open up the field for FCI’s attacking incursions. At the end of the first half, FCI has an excellent opportunity to equalise: Eliana passes the ball to Viktorija, who wide on the right wing, receives the ball, and, with a great pass, finds Meryl in the penalty box, whose shot is blocked. The first half ends 0-1.

FCI starts the second half with the awareness that the smell of a goal is in the air. At 65’, Meryl receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area, controls it and finds the space for a magnificent shot and beats the goalkeeper. FCI is not fully satisfied with the draw and tries to obtain the first win of the season. For FCI, the clearest chance to score comes from a corner: the cross, delivered by Meryl, gets past the goalie, but none of the FCI players put the decisive touch to score. At 85’, the cold shower arrives. Jodoigne’s striker steals the ball on the edge of the penalty area, shoots and scores the winning goal. The match ends 1-2.

Although, in these last matches, the team has been experimenting with formations and positions, it has constantly delivered great performances and gave a hard time to all the opponents faced. The last performances also give hope and a good foundation for next season with players open to listen to new instructions and play in new roles.

Player of the match: Meryl

Last year’s Abssa champions took on this year’s Abssa champions in a sunny Rossiers, very even, good quality game with some nice passages of play from us. We deservedly took the lead after a great cross from Alvaro to Tommy who headed down for Nair to volley home, high quality goal. We came close to adding to the lead through Sylvain with an audacious effort, James & from a corner. HT 1 up, 2nd half they pushed us back a bit, eventually scoring a really good team goal themselves. We hit the post, Erik just wide with a one on one & we thought Remy had won it right at the end with a brave header but was given offside. Draw probably just about a fair result, congratulations to Brussels British on their deserved championship, hopefully we’ll be back to challenge again next season & still the cup to play for. Motm Alex, majestic at the back but everyone contributed.

Vets2 lost 7-0. Audergem was all over us from the beginning. We did not have our best day. The fight against the British from last week was still in our legs. I’m sure if Alan Norton would have been with us we would have won 😜. On a positive note we gained more points this year vs. last year.

After a chaotic buildup to the match (big thanks to the Neil, Tiago and Lolo), 4ths entered the final match knowing only a win would do to potentially allow us to survive in Div 3D.

On a sunny day in beautiful weather, the game started pretty evenly, with both teams vying for control of the match and not many chances created at either end.

Captain Fabi decided to alter that half way through the half and hit a shot from 30-35m into the top corner. 1-0 Irelande!

With new confidence, shortly after that Tiaho was found in a bit of space. He managed to get a shot off which the GK saved. Thankfully the rebound also fell to Tiago and he smashed the ball into the net for 2-0!
4ths continued searching for goals and, after a bit of luck, Lolo worked his way clear for a 1-on-1 but it went agonisingly wide. Shortly after, Curtis won a corner and unfortunately a free man headed home so we went in at 2-1 ahead at HT.

if anyone thought we would be nervous coming out after half time they would be wrong. Within minutes Tiago burst clear and was fouled to win a penalty which he duly put away to go 3-1 up. Then 3mins later, Lolo was out clear and managed to lib it over the GK and put us 4-1 up. Tails were up and confidence was high. 5mins later we even score again, from a throw in Lorenzo bullied his way into the box, a low cross was then tapped home by Tiago for the hat trick!

4ths then tried to consolidate their advantage. Tiredness set in a little for FCI 4ths with a penalty given away and an unfortunate goal at the near post right at the death. But we held on resolutely for a big 3points.

Final Score 3-5 to FCI4.

MotM Fabi

Unfortunately the win was ultimately in vain as Syb somehow came from behind to secure the points to send FCI4 down to Division 4 😭