FC Irlande Men 2

*MOTM*: Jouke Bosma

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

It was not a Beautiful Day for the Men’s 2s as they went out to Audergham to play Higgins FC. It has the chance to turn into a massacre, akin to Sunday Bloody Sunday, when Higgins went 1-0 up early on in the first half. However, the FCI boys showed Desire to respond immediately with a beautiful weighted crossed being headed in by Lolo from close range.

It could have been a Bad day were it not for Maxi, who kept the team in with a string of world class saves throughout the match to keep Ireland in the hunt. Heading into the break it was 1-1 with every chance to come on away with a point.

At halftime the lads were looking to sideline for support from Neil and Matteo and probably thinking that With or Without You it would have been a difficult match against a well drilled, fit team.

Midway through the second half Higgins were first to a breaking ball in the box following a brilliant Maxi save that was bundled over the line to make it 2-1.

The bench did their best to have an impact, with Ewan missing his second easiest 1 on 1 of the season. Ruefully as it went over the bar he thought I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for, a goal. A couple other chances went missing and ultimately they were missing the crucial final touch to facilitate a potential smash and grab in tough conditions.

The boys shower Pride, in the name of love for the jersey, never giving up and pushing till the final whistle to get an equaliser.

It would have been the Sweetest Thing to have got away with a point, but ultimately Higgins did enough to take all 3 points. Important to Walk On and reset and for a big match next week against Vetuso before the Christmas break.

On a warmer and sunny afternoon FC Irelande stepped out confidently on the home pitch against Forestois.

Our defensive line held down the opponents to nearly zero opportunities to score. The midfield was quite efficient finding in incisive passes over and under the lines of the opposing side.

In the first half, a beautiful through ball into was played into Lolo where he found himself 1 on 1 against their keeper, however he selflessly placed right into Jaret to put up FC Irelande 1-0.

Shortly after the break, Jouke placed a great ball in between their defence’s high line leading to Jaret chipping the keeper. 2-0.

Overall, we had many opportunities to further the lead but left with another win this weekend.

MOTM : Jaret

Today, the fellowship of 13 brave men, hobbits, magician and elfes were going to petit chemin Mordor vert to face Jefke eye army filled with diabolical gobelin, Nazgûl and Urukai.

On a nice battle field, the fellowship were controlling the middle Battle with 3 companions facing only 2 urukais.

It’s after a very nice movement from all the companions that the « precious » came back to his master Brioch Frodon, faked the shot and scored a lucky left foot goal.
1-0 half time battle

Second half started with Neil Gandalf who decided to do a « you shall not pass to Urukai number 11 » and indeed, passing he did not. But Referee Gollum, sometimes helping the fellowship, sometime helping Jefke eye, decided to let Neil Gandalf leave his friends to fight his own battle in the shower Moria.

With one companion left, the fellowship didn’t give up and everyone :
1. Max  Boromir
2. Jaret Elrond
3. Matteo Aragorn
4. Andreas Legolas
5. Hadri Faramir
6. George Gimli
7. Villu Theoden
8. Neil Gandalf
9. Nick Celeborn
10. Brioche Frodo
11. Benji Peregrin
12. Gabi Eomer
13. Tommy Elrohir
14. Lorenz Samwise

fought till the end to defeat the devil. Some Urukai also decided to left the battle field before the end, powerless in front of such decidcation. Ref gollum decided it as enough for Jefke eye, and called it a win for the fellowship.

Today was the day we showed what friendship can do.

PS : 2 opponents Urukai were interested in to join the fellowship next year, tired of being on the wrong side

MOTM : Brioche

For the past 5 seasons, the 2nds established and ancestral tradition that goes back to ancient Roman times (or not)…: scoring more than you concede against unbeaten top of the league …
And you know what ? This year, the tradition was respected.
The sky was grey…the (astro) grass was humid …the wind was blowing …
The armies were ready for battle …
The Irish started on the right foot…intense, disciplined, eager and composed …
We controlled the game taking advantage of the space in the middle …a small mistake saw one of Braine striker in front of the empty goal …Goaaaaal?? Of course not…they had not taken into account Greek King Papi who slides the ball outside …
Then FCI put more pressure …a Kevin De Bruyne pass from Brioche found Gaby up front …who, unselfishly, pass to Lolo on an empty goal ….1-0
Braine out more pressure but the lads kept a clean sheet.
Half time
FCI2 started very well with Lolo scoring a second one very soon…2-0
Corner for Braine : the lads left a man free, header goal…2-1
Braine then has a clear opportunity in front of Max but the guy wiffed it (according to Max) biffed it (according to Neil)…for those non Shakespearean, he fucking missed.
Right after, a nice move from George on the side, corner …a nice corner from Lolo lands on Matteo’s head and the goal keeper ….mix-up that leads to a goal (see poll below) 3-1
Finally, 15m to the end, Lolo scores an amazing bicycle …4-1
End of the match : 4-1 win against undefeated top of the league
MOTM: Lolo time

A crisp afternoon in Nivelles begins !

3′ in and we have our first shot on goal for Greens. Brioche from the edge of the box, over the bar.

5′ in and no one has taken ownership of possession as yet. Greens trying to build from back.

6′ lovely turn between 2 players out of trouble by Servais. He showed low blood pressure there.

8′ dodgy offside call there after greens confiscated possession leading to a long ball forward to Lolo from Brioche. Some whining from the bench about the call.

10′ Blues’ turn to take possession. Run down the left wing safely marshalled by stand in RB Simms.

12′ ⚽️ goal for blues. Very confusing sequence of events at the back leads to tap in. 1-0.

14′ greens confidence rocking. Unforced corner conceded. Leads to header wide.

17′. Corner for blues. Unconvincing defending, eventually clear.

20′ Greens reestablishing a footing in the game. First serious spell of possession in blues territory.

21′ Lolo shot from range. On target, comfortably saved.

22′ free kick for greens from midfield…

25′ 10 mins to go in first half. Shaky passing leads to unforced corner for blues.

27′ first signs of the signatory high press leads to chance for gabi in the box. Corner for greens…

30′ blues on the attack. Cross cleared.

31′ ball won high by Servais, leads to throw in.

32′ CHANCE FOR GREENS.

35’ GOAL FOR GREENS. Blues build up play leads to counter from Gabi. Great cross comes to Lolo, and a chested touch followed by a Di Canio style finish makes it 1-1 right on HT.

2nd half 

3′ attacking free kick for greens…

5′ another FK for greens.

7′ blues around the box. Poor cross.

7′ evidence suggests greens were listening to the HT team talk, looking much more composed in possession. Play taking place higher up the pitch.

10’ ➡️ Villu in for Matt

17′ ➡️ Luis in for George

18′ DOUBLE SAVE BY AHMET

19′ OVERHEAD KICK FROM LOLO!! …thats all we’ll say.

25′ CHANCE FOR GREENS !!! Beautiful corner on to Matteo’s head from point blank range. Wide…

27’ 2-1 GREENS !! Matteo with the decisive goal !! Some nice build-up play from the middle leads to a pass from brioche out to Hadri. Ball back across the goal and who should be arriving with the keeper…but our CB. Keeper fumbles into Matteo’s stride. Open goal beckons, and he makes no mistake.

1-2 FT !!!

MOTM’s : Brioche and Lolo

Another beautiful day of football at Nossegem and the Men in green stepped up on the pitch looking forward to stop the losing streak. On a different formation, we entered with a Neil False 9, ready to make a connection with midfield populated with quality. Trying to keep the pace high, and overcoming some bad passes, the seconds managed to make some well built plays, switching flanks and making sure to use options in the middle. In the first half wicked foot Nick managed a nice banana shot in the goal, which was stopped by the goalkeeper, and Jouke, that shot it over the bar. Following that, we continue our pressure and got two more chances on the two different posts, from our different wingers, Benji and Gabi. Second half came with a different attitude and saw Ewan and Luis coming in, establishing the team to the typical 443. We got bolder and with that came the mistakes, two missed passes called Max to the game who replied present when tested. We kept in the game, getting the ball in the box, with chances from Jouke, Luis and Ewan not getting the deserved goal for the more handsome men on the pitch. Heads down at the final whistle 0-0, which shows we don’t settle for draws. Good things are coming and we are hungry. MOTM goes to the man with the beautiful but cheeks:

On this hot autumnal day the 2nds travelled to Genappe to face Vetuso. Game started evenly with chances on both sides, but with as many mistakes that made the game at times messy. Best chances for Irlande were from improvised striker Matteo who had to take Jamie’s position injured after a couple of minutes in the game.
The second half started with more composure and pressure from the boys in green but the opponent could strike on a counter attack and score the first goal of the game. Irlande kept high pressure, building some nice movements and was eventually rewarded by a goal with George W (who came im some minutes before for Neil), passing the ball through the keeper’s legs after a smooth pass from Benji. Building on that momentum we pushed hard but in the middle of the pitch, a missed clearance saw Vetuso’s striker running to Ahmet, who couldn’t prevent their second goal. With 5 minutes to go we tried everything with a lot of presence in the box but couldn’t get the ball in the net. A third defeat in a row but better days for the 2nds are surely ahead.
MOTM: Nick Pawley

On a mild October day, the Emerald Warriors took the pitch at Nosseghem for a battle against Big Jefke, placed just behind FCI in the standings.

FCI started off on the back foot, falling prey to Jefke’s strong pressing and tough challenges. Not long into the first half Jefke had a long throw, where their big heads got in the end of it just against Ahmet, 0-1 to the opposition. Play continued, and Jefke played a through ball and was able to score (unhelped by the referee as the player was in an offside position). Half time arrived with a scoreline of 0-2.

2nd half started and the Boys in Green looked better, keeping the ball and finding the homes through their defenses. From a lovely call over the top to Gab, he was able to swing a cross into Lolo, who cleanly dinked it off the post leaving no chance for the keeper, 1-2 for the good guys.

As the 2nd half dragged on FCI started to panic a bit, throwing balls forward. In a last gasp effort from a free kick, FCI had multiple chances as it bounced around in the box, ultimately ending with German George deciding to spare Jefke’s feelings by popping over the bar. In the end a disappointing day in the office, with FCI losing to Big Jefke 1-2. Onto the next one

On a surprisingly good looking Tourinnois pitch the boys in green came to secure their fourth win and fifth clean sheet in a row; it didn’t quite turn out that way. Off to a bland sloppy start Ireland were being beaten both with and without the ball. The punishment didn’t last much to come, as 15 minutes in a seemingly innocuous free kick far down the left ended up right at FCI’s far post, everybody just watching it pass through untouched. And that wasn’t even enough to wake the team up. As it continued not playing its passing football and getting into Tourinnois’ trap, Ireland conceded a second goal five minutes later, out of a scrappy high ball that for some reason Max didn’t manage to touch before it reached their striker’s head. 2-0. Ireland did however show pride after that, back to playing nice football and creating two great opportunities that Thomas P was close to but couldn’t convert, unfortunately. HT, and luck was definitely not on FCI’s side. No strong reaction in the second half, allowing a deflected cross to end up right on Tourinnois’ striker’s head again, netted perfectly in the top right hand corner. 3-0, and despite a nice passing sequence that led to a right-footed Lolo goal (3-1), heads were down and it looked like the game was already lost. And it was indeed, as an anecdotic and unlucky penalty awarded by Matteo’s hand topped this shit team performance up. Ireland didn’t put things right in the first place, and the elements never went its way either. A day to forget.

MOTM : Max

And so it was, another notch on the 2nd team’s bedpost and nil points for a plucky but uninspiring Entente side in the Nossegem sunshine. The 2nds started the brighter, but Gabriel King”s pre-match harbingers of doom almost brought a goal for Entente, with Neil on hand to clear from behind the line and keep a fifth clean sheet in a row in tact. A well worked move down the left between Ewan and Lolo brought Irlande’s best chance to score in the opening stages, but was not enough to separate the sides at half time.
It was a choppy/sloppy second half all round truth be told, but it was the BIG that produced two moments of real quality the wrestle the 3 points away. The breakthrough – an incisive move from the back Neil, to Self, to Brioche, to Gab, across to Benji – BOOM – a defender getting the last touch for the OG. To wrap up the points, imperious wildcard Luis played Gabi through to provide again from the right, this time Benji was able to apply the finishing touch and spark the celebrations. Shalalalala!

Motm: Ahmet (ski bro!)

Forfeit by the opposition

Twas a beautiful day so it was. A beautiful day to slay some Union tabbie cats. From the off, the Leprechauns confiscated the ball from their feline adversaries, who looked less than interested in chasing yarn on this hot afternoon. But in the absence of rainbows typical if their natural habitats, would the leprechauns find a pot of gold?

It didnt take long for them to give the onlooking woodland creatures the answer. Ewan on debut, having missed an earlier gilt-edged opportunity to lay a first blow on the union pussy cats, slid in Servais, who sliced a strike right into the bottom corner. Luck of the Irish, so it was.

The domination was continue throughout the first half, and when Gabi was felled on the edge of the box, up stepped Pawley to lay a curled effort onto the corner of the bar, the rebound gratefully snaffled by Kevin Booba ahead of the sleeping cats.

2-0 into half-time and the game was under control.

The second half started in a slightly different pattern with the Union pussy cats stirring a miaow of intent. However, the pesky little leprechauns would not be intimidated, and after numerous openings to stick the knife in, a corner late on saw Riceputi pop up with a rare goal to put those pussies to bed.

MOTM(s) : Nick and Kevin

On a lovely post- summer September Saturday, the 2nds showed what they are really made of, in this new season 2024- 2025.From the get go, on the pitch of Union JP 1, the 2nds displayed quality passes, a disciplined defensive block and good runs. One of those allowed Thomas to dribble into the box, a deviated ball then reached Lolo who crushed the ball into the right top corner- a green, pitilesss rocket. Union JP did not find a remedy to create chances or to stop FC Ireland’s ball posession. In the second half, quick combinaisons through the middle allowed Booba to go through and to seize a pass in the box to the 2-0. George, running on the right lane, delivered a great cross to the box which was seized by Matteo who scored a header to the 3-0. Continuous long balls in the wings led to more pressure, Ryan shot amazingly on the crossbar. Today really showed how much footballistic potential lies in this team. A promising season awaits us!

MOTM : Kévin

The seconds lined up in a hot summer(ish) day in nosegem ready for a fight with the British (s)cums (no hate just liked the dramatic effect).
We started with a good lineup and got in awake and ready to fight. Although our boys were there physically, our touches were hasty and we made a lot of stupid small mistakes, giving the ball to the opposition easily. The first half finished with a few good chances from their side, and half a chance from FCI side.
Second half and some fresh legs entered the pitch. The points that were discussed during half time were respected and put out in the field, with a better offensive image. A few chances from the right wing almost gave us the lead, but at the end British were the ones that can be sad about the draw. We did not lose 2 points today, we won 1. And that’s ok. Shoutout to everyone for holding it together even when individual mistakes were happening. To everyone who was there, you could see how bad of an image is created when there is chit chat and trash talk inside the team!
Off to the next one !

The season kicked off with an intense clash between Ireland and Higgins, set against the backdrop of a field filled with the strong smell of manure.

Ireland came out strong, dominating possession early on. Their efforts paid off when Benji found the back of the net, converting a well-executed throw-in from Villu to give Ireland a 1-0 lead at halftime. It was a hard-fought first half, with Ireland holding their own.

However, the second half was a different story. Ireland’s 4-1-4-1 struggled against Higgins’ 3-5-2 formation, especially as the game became more physical. Gineste nearly doubled Ireland’s lead after some great team play, but his shot missed by just 30 cm, skimming past the right post.

Higgins managed to equalize with a penalty (!) after a big scramble in the box. From there, Ireland found it tough to build up play, held back by the heat and the wind working against them. Higgins then pulled ahead, catching Ireland’s defense off guard with a ball over the top that led to a 1-on-1 finish, making it 2-1.

Despite a late push, Ireland couldn’t find an equalizer, and the match ended in a 2-1 defeat. MOTM: BB7