At Waterloo, FC Irlande did not surrender.

On the Waterloo battlefield, FC Irlande Ladies III faced Racing Club de Waterloo for an epic match and an electrifying midseason finale.

Waterloo kicks off the match and does it strongly. After not even 10 minutes, the home team is 2-0 up, with FCI unable to contain their attack. Despite this shocking start, FCI composes itself and finds the strength to react, knowing that it is not defeated yet and the battle is far from over. Action after action, the team improves the quality of its game, becomes more compact in defence and more precise in attack. At 42’, Marina assists with a header El, who keeps her cool in front of the goalie and puts the ball into the back of the net after it hits the crossbar. A few minutes later, Marina tries to find the equaliser, but her shot goes over the crossbar. First half finishes 2-1 for Waterloo.

The goal at the end of the first half galvanises FCI players, certain that the match still has a lot to say and a victory is still possible. Three minutes into the second half, a beautiful through ball from Marina launches Sophie, who, 1vs1 with the goalkeeper, cannot miss the chance to score her first goal for FCI. FCI did not come to Waterloo to equalise and keeps on pressuring the opponent. At 68’, Roxanne’s throw-in finishes on the arm of a Waterloo player; the referee does not have any doubts: penalty for FCI. Marina, confident in her abilities, steps up to kick the penalty and, with calmness, scores the goal of the overtaking. The remuntada is finalised at the 80’, another goal from Marina assisted in the penalty area by El. Waterloo reacts and creates a few scoring chances at the end of the second half, notably a free kick from the edge of the box, which is successfully neutralised by FCI.

Waterloo tried to hold us back, but we were stronger. We showed that we can win, but more importantly, we proved an incredible mental strength and confidence in our means. We can proudly say we have a perfect away winning streak. Now, for the second half of the season, we have to learn to win at home.

On rainy Saturday afternoon, FCI traveled to The Middle of Fucking Nowhere to pay against Braine-Terminus.
FCI started by playing literally and figuratively uphill, and after an injury for the opponents, we went down by a goal on an admittedly beautiful header. Following this, play resumed at 1000% speed by both teams, all gas no brakes skrrtt. From a pinball run off play, the ball fell to an opposing player who meat-sticked it forward, where their winger was able to get to the ball and fire it into the back of the net, 2-0 bad guys.
2nd half started and FCI into the swing of things, possessing and becoming dangerous. A huge opportunity for Andreas Tarp was ultimately smothered by the opposing keeper, and not many more chances were had. I’m the end we changed to a 3-5-2, but it wasn’t enough to bring the game back. Final score 2-0 to Brain-Terminus.
A special shout-out to MOTM Gabalicious @Gabriel Jacqmin⁩, who played good last official match for the Big Green Hammers and is going to galavant in the land of hobbits and strict health codes. Love you buddy 😘

First match of the second half of the season, we are in Belgium, it’s raining and cold… But in vet we love challenges, and what could be better than a match with no jerseys, forgotten in a washing machine, between two diaper changes and three milk bottles… Saint Nicholas, being a father, welcome to Abssa Vet on Saint Nicholas Day, and on International Vets Happy Hour Day 1… Thanks to the 3ths team who play just before us and gave us their jersey ( wet, dirty but from winner), next Week beers is for me, tell me which taste of laundry on your kit …
Fortunately, everyone showed up, and it was with 15 players that the Irish traveled to Gast, reigning champions, and their former pro players… Thanks to Gregor and John for helping Vets 2… Depending on the various minor injuries, the starting 11 is as follows: François, David Rubio, Tibor, Fernando, Armands, Mathias G, Mathias N, Gonçalo (cap), Clement, Rafa C, Rodrigo… with a big Bench Pierre Antoine, David Garcia, Musti and Ale who is searching the kit still (Don’t worries we love you )…
The match started, but GAst immediately struggled to play his game, mainly because of the intensity of the pressing from the green team’s midfield. Both Mathias really choked their midfield to let our wingers launch clear attacks. Possession is Irish, the aggressiveness is Irish, and so are the chances… A reference match where the wingers cut inside to shift the opposite winger, or our center forward drops back to move his attacking midfielder: a delight between Clément, Rodrigo, Rafa, and Gonçalo… It’s rare to see such intensity in the match from our team, and all 11 players are performing at a high level. Unfortunately, as often happens, the slightest mistake costs us dearly, and during an intervention by one of our defenders, a penalty is called, Panenka from their captain, and 1-0 for Gast. But the Irish are hungry today, and 5 minutes later the same guilty defender, Fernando aka I make a foul but in good spirits, heads in a superb corner from Rafa for the equalizer. Despite some attempts, including a fantastic run from Rafa that ends on the post, the score at halftime is 1-1. No changes for us at halftime, but the great Cedric Fauré comes onto the field for Gast, adding a bit more pressure on our defense.
And unfortunately the second rule at Vets 1 was applied very quickly in the second half regarding the injury: this time it’s Fernando, the scorer, who felt a pain and had to come off for Alé, hot as fire, unlike their jerseys. A second match had begun.
A defensive, tough, old-school match… Of course, Gast pushed, but defense took over with Alé and Tibor being imperial in the center, and Ramands and David, unfortunately taken out after several hits for Pierre Antoine. Our midfield continued its mission of destruction, and during a big pressure sequence, Mathias Ginest gets the ball and delivers a beautifully curved left-footed shot, leaving the opposing goalie with no reaction. 2-1. A free kick from Mathias Neelen perfectly placed in the top corner was saved by their keeper, and raids from Clement and Rafa left their defense dizzy…
Last 15 mn with ours last changes with Musti, our captain back from long injuries , and David Garcia our captain back from short injuries …. what a bench , no ? Gast’s frustration, Alé’s old-school heroic individual defense on Fauré, and Tibor on their second attacker… and a superb move to score the third goal on a breakthrough by Musti to launch Clement one-on-one with the goalkeeper and subtly set up David for the third goal…
Fantastic result for vets 1 : 3-1 versus Gast after a draw versus Brasilian team … Incredible squad with an amazing spirit when they want … MOTM Mathias Gineste