After the rough start of the season, FCI Ladies 3 were full of motivation to search for a better game and a better result. The theme of the day, as highlighted by our coach Slim, was space – moving without the ball to create it and scanning the surroundings before receiving the ball. And while on it, we wouldn’t mind also scoring a few goals.

It is a rainy Sunday morning in Walhain when the teams enter the pitch. Our public also includes a few horses peacefully grazing in their pasture right next to the pitch. The first beats of the match set the tone of the game: the two teams seem very equally matched, both creating some scoring opportunities straight away while battling for the control of the midfield. The bumpy grass pitch brings its own element into the game, making it dangerous for players’ ankles (get well soon, Roxanne!) and meaning that any stray ball towards the goal might take a weird bump and go in.

After about 30 minutes of play, FCI finds great combinations in midfield, creating enough space for Anna to make a run for the ball at the edge of the box. While battling for the ball, it hits the hand of a Walhain player and a free kick is granted. What follows goes down to the Ladies 3 Hall of Fame: a beautiful free kick by El drops right in the upper-right corner of the goal, allowing FCI to take the 0-1 lead and opening our scoring this season.

However, it does not take Walhain long to equalise in the same manner: a free kick is given and shot right to the goal, where the bounce surprises FCI and makes the score 1-1.

The game continues with the same intensity, with FCI pressuring high. A risky pass from a Walhain defender ends up giving Eliana a clear scoring chance, and she’s ruthlessly taken down by the opposition. Standing on the penalty spot is Gabi, who – ever so coolly, with nerves of steel – puts the ball in the corner of the goal for 1-2 just a few minutes before half-time.

The second half is a long battle to hold the lead. Walhain pushes hard for an equaliser, but FCI holds the lead and clears dangerous balls with strong performances all across the defence. And it is not only content to defend but also searches for its third goal. The clearest attempts are from Sandra, skilfully found in the penalty area by El, whose shot is deflected into a corner by the goalie and  Amina, whose shot just goes wide of the post. As neither team is able to score in the second half, the end result remains 1-2 for FCI.

It was an intense game, but we go home with a well-deserved three points. Walhain gave it their all and made it a great game, but in the end it was FCI that managed to stay more disciplined and fought until the very last minute. What a way to start the away games of this season!

Player of the match: El

Match report from Vets 2:
First and foremost big thanks to Nico for being referee and Jeff as Delegue !!
Vets 2 were up against the unpredictable Karia at home. We lost the toss and started uphill against the wind, which clearly screwed up our master plan. Despite a few good chances in the first half, we went into half time 0-2 down. 3 changes and second half promised more but they got a gifted 3rd before too long. We finally started playing and putting pressure high up pinning Karia into their own half. Goals from Alan and straight from a corner from Rafa started the comeback, but we couldn’t find the equaliser despite our best efforts. Everyone put the effort in but it wasn’t our day. Result of 2-3 left us mulling over what could’ve been, until Damo arrived with the first round in the changing room. MOTM went to Stefan who was instrumental in driving us forwards in the second half, but very close behind were Rafa and Yacine who had a great impact in the middle of the pitch. Ben will need to come visit more often and together with Antonio who both came on at half time made a big impact as well. Cheers lads, we’ll get it right next time!

FCI Firsts 5-1 British United

The Firsts were back in Nossegem today for our third game of the season, taking on British United.

We got out of the blocks early with a tidy free kick just outside the box from Bodley, on his supposed weaker foot, to put us 1-0 up.

The next 10 minutes was the Vince show as he tore up the left wing, with a quick fire brace putting us 3-0 up after just 15 minutes.

British United managed to pull one back before half time, making it 3-1 at the break.

Normal service resumed shortly after the restart when Aliaks played an inch perfect pass into Timo, who coolly slotted it into the bottom left corner. His first goal for the team on his first start.

10 minutes later, Filip popped up with a deserved goal as he stretched to meet a cross from the left and put us 5-1 up.

This was the final score as we comfortably saw out the game and picked up another three points.

Onto next week, where we take on last year’s league champions, Azur.

MOTM: Vincent

FC Irelande 0–2 Tourinnois

Another tough game against a top-three team from last season, but this time we went into the match with a clear strategy: make a strong opponent uncomfortable and, above all, not give them an early goal. We also wanted to use our wings, where we had speed and quality, to create opportunities when going forward.

The plan worked very well. We defended in a compact block, circulated the ball when we had possession and were patient when trying to recover it. Tourinnois didn’t create any major chances in the first half, while the Greens had a few good opportunities of their own — not clear-cut chances, but certainly enough to make them work.

0–0 at half-time.

The second half followed much the same pattern. Tourinnois continued to look for long balls behind our defensive line, while we kept competing and trying to play our game.

Then came a cruel moment. After a long ball, we had four players defending against the situation, but a cross into the box was met by a header and they scored. 0–1. A terrible punishment for a game in which we had been fighting neck and neck with a very strong team.

We kept our heads up and continued looking for opportunities. Unfortunately, we were caught off guard from a free-kick in our own half. Although it was still far from our goal, they took it quickly while we were distracted and managed to score again.

0–2.

We tried until the end, but unfortunately couldn’t find the goal we needed. The result is disappointing, especially because the overall feeling is that we played well, competed extremely well and deserved at least one point from this game.

There are still details we need to improve — particularly our passing and being more precise when tracking opponents — but there are also many positives to take from today’s performance.

And now, next Saturday we face another top-three team, this time away, on a very difficult grass pitch.

So let’s keep the fighting spirit, keep improving and make sure we get those small details right.

Let’s keep fighting! 💚⚽️

The Brits came to Nossegem trying to conquer Irlande. This battle has been tough for both sides, with Irlande being the team creating the most chances.

Score at halftime : 0-0, after 35 minutes of strong physical duels.

The beginning of the second half was as intense as the first half. After 15 minutes, a deflected ball comes into the feet of a British player, doesn’t hesitate and calmly put it into the back of the net. 0-1.

Irlande created many chances in the last 20 minutes, like that backheel of Nick saved on the line by the keeper. We deserved to score a goal but that’s how it is.

FT : 0-1

However, the spirit was there, and we can be proud of ourselves. Our time will come !

The Brits have won that battle, but not the war. Rendez-vous is taken : 12th December 2026 to get our revenge !!

Heads up, we will get there !

MOTMs : Tarp, Villu and Ewan !

Come on Irlande

Your reporter is very happy to confirm this week that the Thirds’ game went ahead, and that the pitch lines were in perfect order. We lined up against British United with two debutants in Michael V and Giulio, and were reinforced by Lorenzo from the 4ths

We began the brighter of both teams, linking together some nice pieces of one touch football. Against the run of play, a long ball breached our back line and their striker displayed his strength and pace before finding the back of our net

British United’s lead didn’t last long. Reading the play well, Michael V won the ball back high up the pitch. He played Sepp through, who squared the ball to Sylvain to provide a cool finish. All square at half time.

The Thirds started the second half piling more pressure on their opponents. Our efforts were rewarded when Sepp beat their keeper with a wonderful effort from the edge of the area (Sylvain is still calling for the pass which never came). Causing problems for the defence all game, Giulio also found the scoresheet to make it 3-1

British United weren’t finished however and they pulled one back to make it 3-2. Guus kept us in the game on more than one occasion, making some outstanding saves in the second half. A nervy finish to the game was averted thanks to a smart move from our attackers, with Nico ultimately providing the finish to settle the match

I know he’d be annoyed with only one mention, so I will state that with 30 seconds remaining, Nico did try to take on their whole team from the half-way line. He beat one player before being dispossessed.

A solid victory for the team, building on our first win last week. A few things to tighten up on during the week, but plenty of positives to take into next week’s game versus Tauro

MOTMs: Sepp and Guus (still waiting on Guus’ round btw)