BX Brussels B

Saturday morning home match for FC Irlande Ladies III which faces BX Brussels for the last match of the year.

FCI starts the game with an unusual but period-themed formation. The Christmas tree is brushed up after last season’s disastrous match against Waterloo. The first half goes smoothly and FCI confirms the good performances of the previous matches. The intensity and focus all over the field and organisation in defence stops any BX’s dangerous initiative. In the attacking phase, FCI has the possibility to score from a free-kick and a corner. However, FCI does not make the most out of these opportunities. The first half finishes with a 0-0 and a solid team performance.

FCI starts the second half with several changes in the formation while BX Brussels enters the pitch determined to win the game. BX breaches FCI’s defence from a corner and opens the scoring. Galvanised by this goal, BX pushes more and scores three more times. The FCI’s attacks in the second half are generally fruitless. The match ends 0-4.

We had two objectives for this match: scoring two goals and conceding less than five. At least, we have achieved one of them but the final result is unsatisfactory and the performance of the second half is far to be as good as the ones of the last matches. But this is not a heart-breaking match because of the defeat or the four goals. Alex, our captain, wall and lighthouse, played her last match for FCI. Her calm and confidence made us all feel safe knowing that whatever mistakes and setbacks would have occurred she was there to help and save us. She also holds the record for the highest number of own-goals in a single match (2) and we hope this record will always be hers. Alex leaves a hole in the field that will be hard, if not impossible, to replace. Working like a team and helping each other will be the only solution to recover from her absence.

Player of the match: Karissa