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What a beautiful day to play football in the middle of nowhere in Wallonia. So nice to play one half with golf balls falling on us. Anyway, the Boys in Green started on the strong foot, scoring 0-1 after 15 min, after a beautiful cross of Ryan finding the head of Thomas. 0-1 at HT. In the second half, the Seconds let the opponent installing himself in our defense, giving them some opportunities. Unfortunately, FCI was not far from scoring the 0-2, with Lolo hitting the post from outside of the box. But now the least funny part: the ref gave 3 red cards in 7 minutes to Matteo, Brioche and Nate. 8 against 11: quick maths ! Luckily, the Seconds managed to hold the score to the end. 0-1 victory !!! Shalalalalalalaaaaaaa !
MOTM: Thomas Peeters
After coming back from 2-0 down to win 5-4 against Ambiance Auderghem in the away fixture 4-5, Men 2 again used this winning formula to pull off a stunning victory at home. A sloppy opening goal for the visitors summed up a pretty woeful first half for the BIG.
Despite a big team talk and some tactical changes at the break, the 2nd half immediately delivered a 2nd goal for the visitors, via a sumptuous daisy cutter that snuck in at the near post.
Everyone on the pitch knew that 2-0 was far from game over.
A hatty from stricken striker Joao saved the day away and it was Lolo with the heroics at home, a finely crafted treble for him to continue his purple patch and turn the tie on its head. Neil and Brioche among the providers. Benji stuck away a cross from John-Simon to confirm the remontada, 4-2 and surely game over? No! Another late gift arrived for Ambiance to keep the game interesting, this time from Papi Claus, but it was nothing more than that. Big 4-3 win, back to winning ways and title hopes well and truly alive. MOTM Lolo ⌚️
Weird thing happened to lads arriving to our home fort in Nossegem. A mirror was standing at the entrance, but looking in the mirror something was off and opposite to the logic.
It appeared that instead of the usual rain-soaked football pitch standing in the middle of a field where wind blows sideways, there was an arid pitch that had not seen rain for at least 12 hours, where veterans were already playing in sweltering double-digits heat. To our surprise we found out that we can climb into the mirror and naturally the lads climbed in.
Weird things continued in the world on the other side. Instead of our regular spacious Dastan Salehi named changing room we were crammed into a container that would have collapsed under our regular shalalala dance.
Even the game started with a ref different than the one originally allocated. However, at least he was still filling all the abssa certification requirements and delivered the expected quality.
The bizarre things continued in the game. Boys in green were chasing the ball, rather than controlling the game. When we wanted to hit the ball, we missed it. This was too much to handle and one of the counterattacks we were punished. 1-0 to the opponents and that’s how the first half ended.
Even in halftime, frustration dominated instead of camaraderie. But we quickly understood that this is not the real us and we went into the second half with a consensual promise to change things towards better.
Second half was indeed getting a minuscule step closer to the scenes familiar to long time FCI seconds fans. A mix of chaos with some good chances, but in the defence the opponents made is look as agile as Humpty Dumpty. Only, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men did not come to our help but rather the other side.
Trying to push higher from another counterattack the opponents managed to score one more goal. But we kept on fighting and soon we got one back from a marvellous free kick of Lolo – 2-1.
Unfortunately, another row of unlucky bounces put the ball on opponents’ foot and, undisturbed, they put it to the bottom corner of the net.
A shimmer of hope to save the game came still through Thomas, whose head directed in Lolo’s corner. In the last minute, Matteo was about to get through for a 1 on 1 with the keeper, but was pulled down by the opponents’ last man at the price of a yellow card.
Final whistle and 3-2 loss to boys in green. No shalala to check the construction of the containers. Just understanding that the reality on the other side of the looking glass sucks and we have to get serious and do our best to get back to the good old wast next Saturday at the same place.
MOTM – Lolo
The Greens received Higgins in the first of eight finals in their head to head fight for the title against the Brits.
Although we were gifted by the best weather Brussels has to offer, this was gonna be a tough game, considering that half of the team decided to go fucking skiing.
First half was an unorganized game with neither team pressing high and both going for long balls.
On one side, Higgins balls were being beautifully controlled by the tallest defense quarteto in history (Matteo, Papi, Villu and Hadri) and Max controlling the depth. On the other side, the greens were being able to provide João, Thomas and John with a couple of chances up front.
In one of those, João got behind the defense and was fouled badly on a collision with the last defender. The ref forgave a red card to the defender, but unfortunately he took João’s knee with him. Our super and only sub Julian had to come in after 20 mins – a tough blow for a midfield composed of Neil, Jamie and Gonçalo, whose legs hadn’t played a full match yet this year.
The Greens kept the rhythm high and, despite losing João, counted on his namesake John to be the scoring man! Gonçalo found John’s run behind the defense who, 1v1 with the keeper, put a cold-blooded shot in!
1-0 Ireland just before half time.
Second half started with the Greens fully controlling the game. Ireland remained calm and were able to freeze the game and control possession. Still, the Greens were able to reach upfront a couple of times and were very close to get the second – a lose ball after Thomas’s run behind the defense was cut by the keeper and Julian hit the crossbar on the rebound.
15 minutes left to the end, the legs started failing. Ireland, unable to get runs upfront, traced back. It was time to show why they are the second best defense in this league.
Higgins were pushing high and were able to get a few shots close to the box, but shot stopper Maxi said present with 3/4 beautiful saves in this last period of the game.
1-0 Ireland at full time!! The Greens managed to keep the clean sheet and go +3 points in the chase!
The team celebrated with a shalala that no one had energy for and by bidding goodbye to Gonçalo, who hopes his time in the club will be remembered like him – great, but very short.
Man of the Match: Maxi
Dick of the Match: João’s knee
Beautiful Saturday for a top of the league clash between the Boys in Green and their rivals British United. It’s a very strong and motivated squad that showed up in Mechelen, ready for battle !
The first 15 minutes were very intense, the two teams were really going at it. British United were the first to create opportunities but didn’t manage to find the back of the net. The first goal of the game came around the 30th minute : corner from Brioche to the second post, Benji tries a kung-fu like kick before Lolo deflects into the goal. 0-1 for the Boys in Green at half time !
The beginning of the second half didn’t start so well as Ahmet makes a foul on the Brits’ striker. Penalty… 1-1.
Both teams created some more occasions but never managed to take the advantage. The last opportunity was a last minute free kick that found Nate’s head, but unfortunately the ball went over the bar.
Final score : 1-1. The Boys in Green are still one point behind British United. Anything is possible !
MOTM : Lolo
A great game by the boys in green at our home turf. Good football with some nice combinations did not materialise in a goal and we finished 0-0.
2nds were playing Ster away with a strong squad and a sub. Beautiful day to play football, and we started to try building up the play with Neil, Lolo & Joao but they held us in our own half for a long time, we got a couple of chances on the counter, Nair hit the post from a cross/shot, few corners but nothing concrete. 2nd half the boys gave a team performance, fighting for everything, as Joao & Lolo started getting little chances and the opponents got tired. We were lucky to get away with a penalty when George chopped away the legs of their most dangerous player.He had to be subbed off 🙂 In the last minute we won a free kick and Nair pinged a long ball to the back of the defence to find Benji who fooled the goalie to slot it in near post.. 1-0 win for the boys !! MOTM – Captain Ryan with an epic performance !!
Today’s game saw the 2nd in the league face the 3rd, 4 points separating them. A big game to go 7 points clear.
L’Enteeeeeeente started the first 6min of the game with 10 men and we made the most of it. Thanks to a high block and pressure, we quickly got a corner. Lolo sent it straight to Matteo’s head, so perfectly that he didn’t even have to jump to put the ball in the net. The arrival of the 11th sleepy head for l’Enteeeente didn’t change much with the boys in green first on most balls and controlling the midfield. After a great press by Jamie, we obtained a free kick on the left side of the box. Brioche who definitely wanted to cross that for one his teammates saw his kick dancing with the wind and the curve made it go straight to the opposite corner. Some tough language and a uncontrolled tackled saw two of our guys being booked and would be taken out to avoid any catastrophe.
2-0 at half time and deserved.
The second half started with much more intensity from l’Enteeeeente who made our life difficult for 15min, but thanks to a good defence, the best chances were still for Irlande, with good shots by Lolo, João or John (who came in for Benji). On a counter attack, João ended up facing the keeper and left him no chance for the 3-0 and sealing the deal. L’Enteeeeeeente were definitely not les meilleuuuuurs today. This clean sheet against the best attack in the league tells much about the overall solid performance. The race to the top is more than ever on!
MOTM: Mike who didn’t play today but scored some months ago and will soon become one of the FOTY (Father of the Year)
2nds were playing their 1st game in 2024 away vs Tourinnois. We got lucky not to play on their grass pitch but on a lovely American synthetic football pitch instead. So no excuse.
2nd started with an unusual 4-4-2 diamond : with Max as a keeper, Hadri, Matteo, Ryan, George’s for the defense, Neil as 6, Gonca and Brioch’ as 8, Luis as 10 and our strikers Lolo and Joao.
An all star bench was also here ready to step in : Benji aka BB7, Mathias aka Gineste, Gabriel aka Gabba.
2nds started with some opportunities, still wondering how we didn’t score : Luis, Joao, Brioch’, Lolo got their opportunities. As if the game was written in advance, Tourinnois with their big tall players, scored after a lovely corner from their side. Unfortunately, Neil got his injury back so Gineste came on the pitch ready to run everywhere. Tourinnois almost scored on a 2nd corner but Max was here to prevent the team being 2-0 down.
2nd half started but the team was not showing the intensity and the physical impact needed. Benji came in for Luis and we came back to our regular 4-3-3.
With no real chance to score, 2nds started to see their 1st defeat since October. But a stupid defender decided to give us the opportunity to come back with a stupid tackle on Joao in the box. Joao took the penalty, scored, 1-1.
Max kept us alive multiple times.
Final whistle. 1-1. Not the result we were expected but we didn’t deserve better.
MOTM : Max
On the 9th of December 1868, the first traffic lights were installed in London, outside the Palace of Westminster. On the 9th of December 2023, an equally consequential force would also be attempting to stop the British from driving forward: FC Irlande 2nds.
Traffic lights, however, are but a fleeting, momentary pause in an otherwise onward trajectory. The indomitable 2nds, on the other hand, aim full well to put an enduring halt to this specious British romp.
And so it was that a fateful December afternoon in the Low Countries served up a delectable cocktail consisting of a top-of-the-table derby, mixed with a healthy dose of colonial liberation struggle, shaken and stirred with some classic British/Irish weather.
In his 11th year at the Club, coach John-Simon insisted that all players be at Nossegem, promptly six hours before kick off to watch secret videotapes of the opposition as well as a three hour documentary on atrocities committed by the British Empire in occupied Ireland. Former Second Team Captain, Ryan Self, repeatedly had to defend his credentials by insisting that his mother’s father’s neighbour’s dog’s cousin’s wife’s pet donkey’s grandfather was Irish and he therefore technically qualified to play for the Irish national team, much like Declan Rice or Andy Townsend. Satisfied with the preparation and Ryan’s (alias Reehan O’Self) impeccable heritage the boys in green stepped on the hallowed Nossegem ground to upset the Brits.
In atrocious weather conditions with sideways rain, the boys in green stepped on the pitch ready to defend their home.
The first half was a tight affair with a dearth of clearcut chances. FC Irlande kept their shape, were aggressive in the tackles and dealt very well with the defensive transitions. Ryan and Matteo patrolling the back four imperiously and Hadri keeping a certain ex-Irlande winger in his pocket.
The first dangerous chance came when a delightful Lolo cross hit the bar after taking a deflection. The Brits didn’t offer much but were compact and had a goal chalked off to a clea handball.
In the second half, the boys in green started aggressively, asserting their dominance and personality in the match. Nathan Tucker Banas scored from a well taken corner as Irlande pressed forward.
The Brits remained calm however and scored a very sloppy equalizer following some ping pong in the Irlande box.
But Irlande were poised. Calmly finding passes between the lines and threatening the goal. Another delectable Nate corner found Benji who put the ball in the back of the net. 2-1 Irlande.
The Brits never really threatened again and Irlande continued to have the most dangerous chances. Luis was indicted for a hate crime when he came on. Joao drew a top save from the goalkeeper with a delectable shot which almost went in. Benji decided not to gift Joao a simple tap in and killing the game in the last five minutes.
Instead, the boys in green held on comfortably and put a stop to the seemingly unstoppable Brits.
Man of the Match: Nathan Tucker Banas
Goals: Nate, Benji
Assist: Nate
Οι πράσινοι κλήθηκαν σήμερα να υπερασπιστούν το νικηφόρο σερί τους και να αποδείξουν στους Έλληνες αντιπάλους ότι άξιζε η 2η θέση τους στο πρωτάθλημα.
Μπήκαν στον αγωνιστικό χώρο με κακή ενέργεια. Πήραν τη μπάλα στη μέση και με σέντρα πίσω από τον Γιώργο έλεγξε ο εξτρέμ τους, σέντραρε στο σημείο του πέναλτι και ο επιθετικός τους έβαλε τη μπάλα στα δίχτυα, 1-0 πρώτη ευκαιρία του αγώνα.
Ευτυχώς οι πράσινοι κράτησαν το κεφάλι ψηλά και δεν άφησαν τους αντιπάλους να πάρουν το παιχνίδι. Με μια όμορφη σέντρα, ο Ράιαν βρήκε τον Ζοάο που με ένα μόνο άγγιγμα λόμπαρε τον τερματοφύλακά τους. 1-1.
Το πρώτο ημίχρονο ολοκληρώθηκε με χαμένες ευκαιρίες από την Ιρλανδία.
Το δεύτερο ημίχρονο η Ιρλανδία συνέχισε χωρίς πολλές ευκαιρίες, αλλά η ελληνική κατοχή της μεσαίας γραμμής από τους αντιπάλους οδήγησε σε ένα “τυχερό” αλλά άξιο γκολ, δεδομένου ότι η ομάδα μας δεν έπαιζε αρκετά καλά. 2-1
Στα τελευταία λεπτά η Ιρλανδία πέρασε την μπάλα και βρήκε τον Ζοάο που έκανε ένα κόλπο του Χουντίνι και παρουσίασε την μπάλα στα αντίπαλα δίχτυα. 2-2.
Τα τελευταία λεπτά οι πράσινοι πίεσαν και έχασαν μια μεγάλη ευκαιρία με τον Vilu που πήρε την μπάλα από το μπριός και την έστειλε με κεφαλιά άουτ.
Συνολικά, ένα όχι και τόσο καλό παιχνίδι από τους πράσινους που πήραν έναν τυχερό 1 βαθμό.
Another match day in Nossegem for the 2nds, under a light drizzle, facing the 3rd in the league, only 3 points behind. Perfect conditions for a big battle and the 6 pointer game. The first half was balanced with very few chances on both sides, and basically one shot on target for each team. In the second half, against a tired opponent, the 2nds clearly took the advantage, putting pressure and completely dominating the midfield, creating more chances. Some smart substitutions by coach John and assistant Josh brought Lolo and Jamie in. On a corner the former putting a lovely ball in the box for Jamie with a low header, giving the lead to the men in green. Domination remained the same, with more chances, for João on a long shot over the keeper (and slightly over the goal) and a cross bar header by Benji on another corner. Despite some pressure in the last minutes, that was enough for the 2nds to clinch their 6th victory in the row.
MOTM: Jamie
Today the boys received ITT-Gecko in Nossegem on a windy and rainy morning. The begging of the game was very divided between both teams, until the 25th minute where Ireland started to take control of the game. With beautiful passes and creating chances, Irlande got a penalty, making it 1-0 as João converted from the penalty spot! 1-0 at halftime
Second half comes and Irlande was too low in the pitch, Gecko was taking charge and got a penalty, but, after losing control of his emotions, the gecko player who suffered the penalty, got sent off after tackling Matteo as if he was in the octagon. After the mess cleared up, it was 1-1. Game continued, Ireland a man up, suffered a goal at the 68th minute from a long free kick. Two minutes to go.
Ireland is now pushing and in the middle of the confusion in Gecko’s box, Matteo with a beautiful finish, ties the game, 2-2, 70th minute. Ireland rushed the ball into the centre of the pitch, the boys wanted a win!! Last minute of the game, free kick, Brioche is taking the ball…a beautiful cross comes on to find Villu, that with a beautiful header, gives the lead to FC Ireland!! 3-2 and it’s the final whistle!!! Ireland gets the 3 points, 5 wins in a row!! Keep it up boys!!! 💚🤍🧡
MOTM : Matteo ! 🎻
Today, the boys went to Drogenbos to play on a beautiful grass pitch. The game had two completely different halves, a first half dominated by FC Ireland, getting two goals, João with the first after a beautiful cross from Nate and Gaby with the second after a rebound from Benji’s shot, going to half time 2-0 up!! The second half, playing against the wind, made the game a bit harder, a lot of fighting and not a lot of football, but the spirit of this team is incredible! They were able to hold the clean sheet until the end of the game! Coming back home with 3 points in the bag! Let’s keep it going!! 💚🤍🧡
MOTM : Ahmet the « duvar » (wall in Turkish)
The beasts went to Auderghem to get 3 points in an unnecessary suffering of the game. The lads started on the wrong foot and conceded two goals. After that they shaped up, got on steam going and scored 5 goals, Joao 3, Gonçalo 1 and Villu 1. After that we gave our fans some anxiety and conceded 2 more. Kept ourselves tight and final result 4-5. Great win and spirit, let’s keep it up!
Seconds played against old friends Union JP who play out in Anderlecht. After a good warm up and an overall sense that this was our day we started very poorly and could not string two passes together. That being said we still managed to hit the post and create the better chances but to no avail. Half time came and went with little improvement. It got even worse as Union JP took the lard by scoring a lovely goal. We were lucky not to concede more. We really were not in this one. Fortunately a tactical change and super subs flipped the game. Within minutes the seconds had levelled. From this point there was only one team on the pitch. 1-4 goals from Joao 2, Luis and Gaby sealed the deal. 💚
Neighboring the 14th edition of the local ’Patattencross’, FCI played the unknown nevertheless fourth place ‘Ster’s’ on a sunny October day. Desperately needing a win The Gars showed up in numbers; young, old, healthy, just recovering and + 1’s.
Playing the first half against the wind proved difficult but not impossible. After some time a howling Benji, for once not offside, received the long ball from Neil which he ran past the keeper and split the recovering defenders to slot into the back of the net (FCI 1-0). For the remainder of the half FCI struggled to move the ball out of their half but kept the lead.
*HT* (FCI 1-0)
In their own unique way of playing FCI gave the ball away around their own box and propelled Ster’s to tie the game (1-1). Unperturbed, FCI went straight into the attack. João receiving the ball at the near post, stopping and pushing it past the incoming keeper (FCI 2-1). Next was an FCI corner kick which Benji initially dinged against the back post which then met the front post and where Mateo wacked it in (FCI 3-1). Choosing to share the ongoing goal-fest with Ster’s, FCI gave away a penalty from a corner (FCI 3-2). After some shaky minutes and valuable substitutions FCI regained their form and repeatedly found João in the box who didn’t waste a chance (FCI 4-2), (FCI 5-2) and (FCI 6-2). Thank god we found his ABSSA card!
*FT* (FCI 6-2)
The boys played away against Entente today. After a very open and chaotic first twenty minutes the boys took the lead after some good pressing from Lolo forcing the keeper to gift the ball to Luis in the box who promptly finished with aplomb..the greens missed a flurry of chances after this and were denied a clear goal where the ref claimed the ball sneeked in through a hole in the net(utter nonsense). Then 2 minutes before half time a horror show of a control from Neil gifted the opposition a chance to score which they gratefully accepted. 1-1 HT
The boys in green started the second half strongly and got a goal through Lolo after some fine “shooting” from Gineste gifting Lolo a goal from a rebound of the crossbar..a very open game ensued with Irelande missing a host of chances and getting a goal wrongly disallowed for an offside before the opposition drew level from a Matteo OG..soon after Lolo converted a wonder goal from a tight angle on the right and unfortunately from the kickoff they let in another within a minute..with both teams pushing for the win a defensive mix up from an offensive corner lead to the boys going behind for the first time in the game..we pushed hard for the equaliser with some fantastic play but couldn’t put the ball in the net..
Loss 3-4 but some positives to work on..bigger and better next week 💚
FC Irelande II- Tourinnois FC2: 0-1
Conditions were excellent on that sunny Saturday morning on the artificial grass pitch of Nosseghem: Not too sunny, not too warm, not too cold- the 4th season game looked promising with 13 players available. The 2nds had a decent start into the game, solved in the defense some pressuring and tried to find the wings whilst unfortunately leaving too much space in the midfield. Gaby had two great opportunities to score, assisted by Benji. Lolo’s corners also turned out to be dangerous but the 2dns failed to score in the first half. This was to bite the 2nds back as energy levels appeared low in the second half. The last 30 minutes lacked equally urgency and the pressuring you need to score. And as so often in football, if you don’t score, you end up conceding. Tourrinois,playing with a very slow possession football scored their 3rd opportunity and lead the game for 10 minutes with .
The 2nds seemed energy wise unable to come back despite some final minutes chances via Lolo and Gabi. Final result 0-1.
The boys in green went to get a very sweaty win of 1-0 in a game of heart and passion where a header of the big Man Ramos sealed the game. VAMOS CARALHO!
2nds played against a solid Azur Cs 1 at home in this sweltering Saturday afternoon. Play started in favor in the bus in green, but most actions and ball movement were fairly slow due to the heat. During the run of play Ryan made a scorching run through the center giving a lovely through-ball to Amadou who slotted it home for the first goal of the match, 1-0 good guys. Play continued, still in favor of the FCI but not much more happened until half time. At halftime, Mathias Gineste came for Andreas Papadopapolopolous. Once the 2nd half started, and Azur showed their quality, putting a goal gone within 5 minutes, 1-1. The heat took its toll, and FCI lacked quality leading to a 2nd Azur goal. We tried to make a late-game push, but to no avail. Final score 2-1 Azur. MOTM the imperious Ryan Self
A strong and clean start of the season for the seconds. It was 11v11 in Auderghem (no subs on either side), in what looked like a real challenge against a team coming down from 1st division.
It actually turned out to be much easier, with Higgins showing not much quality and low intensity. Ireland was head and shoulders above for the first 25 minutes, and got rewarded with 2 goals : opener from Ama (who came back from pre-retirement to help his old mates out – big up) and a clean finish from Gabby making the most of a “pass” from George he was the only one to believe in. Also, he’s so fit, which helps.
Last 10 mins of the first half were more difficult as taking a breath started to become an issue, but the boys in green held strong.
Second half wasn’t much more of a struggle, as Gabrielle killed the game with a beautiful volley off Benji’s cross (3-0) by minute 50, and Lolo nailed a penalty onto the right post in (4-0). The men in green could have conceded one as an audacious centre back tried his luck upfront several times (without being served), while those staying got into few mistakes, but caught up well.
End of the game was very low intensity as most players turned out to be out of shape on both sides, but that’s worth 3 points anyway!
Ireland 4, Mary Poppins 0. We take and we move on 💚