FC Irlande Men 3

The 3rds entered with weekend on top of the table following a 5-0 forfeit victory in week 1. With the extra week of preseason behind them, and a squad reinvigorated with a quality additions over the summer, the 3rds were confident going into their first match at home against a very good Chiefs side. The game started off slowly with plenty of back-and-forth from both sides. The 3rds saw debuts for Gabriele, Oisín, Robert, and Haakon while the Chiefs seemed to bring back most starters from last year. Their speedy wingers threatened the long ball over the top, but were kept at bay by the FCI back four. A chance free kick just outside of the box was taken perfectly for 0-1 Chiefs. The 3rds drew level off their own free kick shortly after, when Gabriele slotted in his own rebound bottom left corner for 1-1. Further intense attacks and counter attacks amounted to nothing for both sides, with good defensive stands and chances taken wide. Halftime 1-1.

The 3rds had the downhill slope going into the second half and made use of it to keep pressure on the Chiefs. Gabriele won a free kick on the left side of the pitch, well outside of the box. He curled a cross in which met the head of Robert perfectly at the penalty spot, redirecting in for 2-1 FCI. Shortly after the Chiefs’ potent wingers finally broke through on open play, and tapped in the 2-2 equalizer. With time winding down the game grew more physical. Max made his return to Nossegem in the 6 position and made sure the Chiefs felt his presence. Late in the match Gabriele created another chance down the left side of the pitch, dribbling the ball into the box and delivering a shot that the keeper couldn’t hang onto. The ensuing scuffle in front of the net eventually saw Shane with the final poke across the goal line for 3-2 FCI. With victory only minutes away, the 3rds just had to contain the speedy Chiefs forwards. Fatigue had set in though, and one particularly dribbly Chiefs winger was brought down just outside the box for another dangerous free kick. Impossibly well taken, it snuck just over the top of the wall and into the top corner for 3-3 FT.

A well-deserved MOTM to Gabriele.