FC Irlande Men 3

Match Report:

The team took to the pitch at SK Nossegem at 15:30 with positive feelings already evident during the warm-up, partly thanks to a great pre-match atmosphere knowing that the real game is played tonight, and with an extra emotional edge due to the farewell of the Spanish lads: Jose and Brais. From the opening whistle, Irlande dominated the first half, moving the ball with intelligence, patience and real personality, at times playing like Pep’s Barça in its best days.

That control quickly turned into goals, with Gav popping up where he always does to score a brace and put Irlande 2–0 ahead. Defensively, the team looked solid throughout, giving little away and managing the Extraños’ attacks well, who struggled to find space against a well-organised back line.

The second half was a very different contest. With less possession and more emphasis on experience and grit, Irlande unapologetically morphed into Bordalás’ Getafe: compact lines, hard duels and zero romanticism. The Extraños managed to pull one back (2–1), pushing the game into that uncomfortable phase where every clearance feels like a chance created.

From then on, it was time to suffer, and Irlande did so with discipline, commitment and the occasional piece of textbook time-wasting. Special mention goes to Brais, who started on the bench but, true to his style, came on to deliver a little touch of quality, proving that class has nothing to do with minutes played.

And if football was fair, so too was the MVP award. José Carlos Elena produced a masterclass, spraying long passes and switching play in a way reminiscent of Xabi Alonso, leading the team through the toughest moments and signing off his farewell exactly as he should have.

Final score: Irlande 2–1 Extraños.
Second consecutive win, three more points on the board… and now, finally, time to focus on what really matters: tonight’s game 💪🍀

The lads set off with a strong first half, with a solid defence not allowing many opposition chances, and showing promise going forward, despite Vogelpik’s numerous attempts on Gav’s ankles, unanswered by the referee. Unfortunately, a shot (definite cross) from the Vogelpik winger was carried by the wind into the roof of our net, leaving us 1-0 at the break – not to take away from a stellar performance from Guus, keeping us in the game later on. Going downhill in the second half, we managed to get the ball wider and create chances higher up the pitch, where we unfortunately lacked conversion. The game took a rough turn, however, when Massi took the ball forward and two Vogelpik players decided to make an attempt on his life. Unsatisfied with the advantage given to Irlande (whilst chasing the game), Massi took matters into his own hands, pushing their midfielder to the ground with a string of ‘Vaffanculo’s, where he lay in unquestionable agony for several minutes, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. Fair play to the ref though, seeing Mario as the true puppeteer behind the scuffle, promptly awarding him a yellow card. Spot on, could have been red. Despite Irlande being the better team, the game ended at 1-0. Comfortable man of the match for Jose, who was marking their 6”2 midfielder for the best part of the game, at one point winning a 2019 Ronaldo-esque header, a good foot above his opposition. However, the ref once again implemented his wisdom which stretches beyond us all, awarding Vogelpik a free kick – possibly due to suspicion of Jose’s use of performance enhancing drugs. Despite the loss, plenty of positives to take forward to the next game💪

On a moist, warm November afternoon in Nossegem the mighty Turds took on 2nd placed Curtis L’Ausele. Once again, the boys forgot to bring the kits, which did not stop Nico – our, according to Gav, 40 year old winger decided to warm up topless, which the crowds watched in awe. Unfortunately for him, the ref wouldn’t have it – we had to wait patiently for Matt, who drove 150kmh down the motorway and made it just in time.

Admiration of the Turds continued when they started the game in excellent fashion. A new midfield trio of Ara, Sylvain and Nico found each other quite well. After having been denied by the Curtis keeper once, Shane smartly slotted another 1v1 home to put the Turds up 1-0. Well deserved.

Good play continued across the field, with the Turds getting some of their best football all season on the ball. The Turds came close to more goals and Curtis had little to answer for it. Unfortunately, a slip up at the back from a free kick let to a good driven finish: 1-1.

At half time, the boys motivated each other to keep the good football going. And it did. Within the first 10-15 mins of the second half the Turds created more well worked chances, unfortunately we couldn’t find the back of the net. Another freekick at the other end came in and the Curtis striker was able to produce a well placed header into the back of the net. 1-2 against the run of play.

The Turds kept pushing and kept getting close but were unfortunately caught up once again from a set piece. A corner came to the back stick where an unmarked Curtis player slotted it home: 1-3.

In the end a very frustrating afternoon in Nossegem, because it was arguably the Turds’ best game of the season. 2nd placed Curtis come away with all 3 points, winning the game through efficiency, but it should not have been close. The Turds go again next week as they visit New Inn.

MOTM: Aravind

In a rare sunny day in november the thirds took their talents to auderghem to face choule ll
The game started with many duels in midfield and a lot of messy football, which continued throughout the game
Midway through the first half they got their goal which came from a series of unlcuky and slopy challenges
We went down 1-0 into the half
Second half contunied as the first with a tough battle and many duels, Guus made a couple of big saves to keep us in the fame and the additions of colm, Leo and Mike helped us keep fighting
Our goal came towards the end of the game with a perfect long pass from Mike to Shane who sloted it pass the kepper
Unfortunately not the result we wanted, but they were a good team and we showed good fight.
F.T. 1-1
MVP- Guus (14 votes 🤯)

The Thirds had the honor of opening a big day for FC Irlande: a series of games against the perfidious Albion.  We started strong, with a few deflected crosses into the box, José, Timo and Massimo controlling the midfield, and a solid defense.  We had a moment of fear when we almost conceded a fourth penalty in a row, but the ref gave them a free kick, which was good news for us since the Brits’ captain was the poorest free-kick taker we’ve seen in a while.  Besides that, they weren’t very dangerous, and anyway, our keeper Guus was there the few times they threatened us.  Second half lost a bit of tempo.  We had a few opportunities, thanks to great deep balls and a corner kick that should probably have ended up in a goal for us (video attached).  But it remained 0-0.  As such, not a bad result, but a disappointment considering that we’re missing points in what’s been a frustrating start of the season, with very decent football but too many draws.  Mario was elected MOTM with a very solid performance, always first on the ball.  On the podium: Jose and Guus, if I remember correctly, with very strong performances as well.

On a warm, late September morning the Thirds arrived in Nossegem on the hunt for their first win of the season. They had a strong squad, strengthened by Fourths captain Alé at CB, but were without their leader Saul for the first time this season.  The Thirds settled into the match, and found space down the wings where the opposition was weak, doing well to release Thor and Brias with balls in behind.  Ten minutes into the match, an Asturias player went down softly in the box and was awarded a generous penalty by the referee, 0-1.  The Thirds continued on, finding combinations in the middle and creating chances with good team play, but failed to find the back of the net before the halftime whistle.

The Thirds adjusted their pressing shape going into the 2nd half, trying to cut down on the gap between the midfield and defense.  The pressure was on Asturias, as FCI continued to produce chances for Shane and Thor but still they were unable to put any away.  Another momentary lapse on a long ball counter attack resulted in an Asturias shot tucked away bottom corner, 0-2.  Frustrations grew as the Thirds, clearly the better side, worked the ball around the opposition but couldn’t put shots on target. A few more questionable calls from the referee resulted in yellows for FCI for arguing.  The Thirds found a bit of energy when Sylvain finally put away sustained chance that touched off a few players in the box, 1-2.  The momentum with them, the FCI attack kept their foot on the gas, and continued to put crosses into the box, only to be headed wide.  Unable to convert their chances, the match finished 1-2.

MOTM Syl

Today’s match was a real challenge from the start. We faced one of the league’s top contenders on a natural grass pitch that was far from ideal, with strong winds making it difficult to play our usual game.

We struggled in the first half, spending most of our time chasing the ball and unable to get a foothold in the game. We started the second half with more energy and created two clear chances through Shane and Brais that could have changed the momentum of the game. The match ended without any further major incidents, perhaps as our opponents eased off the pressure.

While it was a difficult result, we have a lot to work on in the coming weeks. We are more motivated than ever to show what a united team we are, with a great feeling both on and off the pitch.

Result 2-0 loss

MOTM Ahmet