1sts had a tough game at home to LXG, were missing quite a few players. We had a great chance at the start through Ciarán, even 1st half ended 0-0. 2nd half we got the breakthrough through Tiago after great work from Ciarán down the right. We had 3 or 4 clearcut chances that we couldn’t take & were punished on the break with an unlucky OG. We didn’t panic & when Ciarán was fouled on the edge up stepped Rachid to curl around the wall into the corner of the net, 5 to go. They pushed a bit & with time up they got a penalty when Bono was penalised. It was a really good penalty but Ricard flung himself to his right & saved brilliantly. There was 5 minutes added time which confused but we held on for a moral boosting win to hopefully keep the pressure on Brussels British at the top. Motm Ricard, special mention to Alvaro rolling back the years at 6.

*MOTM*: Jouke Bosma

On a freezing evening in Liege, Ladies 1 kick off their first game of the new year against RFC Liege, who are currently third in the league table.

The team started the game really well, despite not being able to train the past two weeks due to snow, we were compact and solid defensively and managed to play out from the back. Liege were pressing high and created some chances however we defended them well, with a good performance from our goalkeeper. Unfortunately, towards the end of the first half, Liege gained possession and put a cross into the box which they managed to finish. However, the team kept pushing on, creating a few chances and putting Liege under pressure.

We started the second half strong, connecting with each other and creating chances. However, Liege scored early, making it more difficult for us to get points from this game. Ladies 1 kept fighting and putting in a shift defensively, with our defensive line stopping their counterattacks. Through nice passing in the team we generated shots on target, however we did not manage to get the ball in the back of the net. Despite putting a lot of pressure on the opponent and putting on our super sub Virginie we didn’t manage to score a goal.

However, it is a performance to be really proud of for the team, matching a team that are so high in the standings. We will take this and prepare for our important game next week.

Vets2 were putting their 2025 unbeaten run to the test in a game vs Pangloss. We were on the front foot in the first half but final passing needed improvement. They also saved a ball on the line. And then, Enzo beat the offside trap and curled it nicely from the corner of the box. 1-0. So a very solid first half. Unfortunately football is a game of two halves and Vets2 lost the initiative in the 2nd half while they converted their chances very well. End result 1-4. MOTMs: Jacob and Enzo

After a false start last weekend, 4ths started 2025 at home with a chance to get a double over Vogelpik. A tough afternoon was expected as the conditions were difficult and the opposition doing well in the league but 4ths entered the contest in high spirits.

From the first whistle, 4ths were dominant, challenging for and winning every ball, with openings being created with the wide men and Alberto. Mid way through the first half, good play resulted in a corner kick, which Peppe whipped into the near post and Joonas stooped to score a rare headed goal from a corner to go 1-0 up.
4ths continued to play well and push for more goals and their hard work paid off just before halt time. Alberto was released with a nice through ball which he just beat to keeper to, rounded him and knocked into the net. 2-0!
2nd half the opposition came out determined to try and improve but 4ths defended solidly throughout and the one time they got though Matteo was there as always to prevent a goal.
In the dying seconds, 4ths counter attacked down the left, with Draga then laying off the ball to Alberto about 25yards out. Despite shouts of ‘keep the ball’ he knew better and hit a sublime shot over the keeper into the top corner. 3-0 and game over! A great start to the new year and a much needed 3 points 💪🏻

MotM – Alberto

On Friday, 17 January, after a long winter break FC Irlande Ladies III resumes the season playing against the first of the league, FC Wolves Brussels.

FCI kicks the match off but Wolves takes control of the game immediately and starts putting pressure to score the opening goal. Wolves tries in multiple ways to breach FCI’s defensive line and find its way to the goal but every attempt is blocked by Marina’s saves. Furthermore, for three times, an attentive defence stops shots that seem fated to become goals. In the offensive phase, FCI struggles to create a dynamic game and goal-scoring opportunities but Viktorija, thanks to one of her runs, forces Wolves’ defender to spend a foul that costs her a yellow card. The first half finishes 0-0.

The second half starts with Wolves in possession of the ball. Entering the pitch, it is clear that Wolves is determined to score and win the match. However, despite the significant distance between the two teams on the league table, this does not appear like an easy task. FCI puts on the field all the team spirit, focus and determination to defend the result guided from the back by Marina who, with experience, controls the rhythm of the game. The innumerable corners obtained by the Wolves are all fruitless and the irritability spreading among Wolves players causes them to make several mistakes. While FCI maintains the calm and stays compact. In its desperate attempt to score, Wolves leaves a bit more space in defence but the goal for FCI does not arrive, also due to a couple of offside calls. The match ends 0-0.

No training and freezing temperatures did not stop FCI from kicking off 2025 with a massive performance and result: a draw that feels like a victory. This point was conquered by playing like a team, defending and suffering together, supporting each other and keeping our cool. The annual ritual of asking to postpone the match and receiving a refusal seems to be an effective spell as after the victory against Saint-Michel last season, another unexpected positive result just came out of it.

Player of the match: Marina