FC Irlande Ladies 1

FC Irlande L1 took to the pitch this past weekend with one goal in mind—keep the winning streak alive! And while the game may not have been the prettiest at times, the ladies dug deep and found a way to secure another three points.

Right from the start, FCI had flashes of brilliance, linking up beautifully and moving the ball with purpose from back to front. The team showed their adaptability as positional shifts came thick and fast, adjusting on the fly and keeping Chastre guessing. To their credit, the visitors did well to cut off passing lanes, but they never really found a way to generate any real danger in front of goal.

Then, at the 50th minute, chaos struck. In a truly bizarre turn of events, the referee attempted to call off the game after an unidentified player (she who shall not be named, but we know who you are) claimed the pitch was too icy. Cue the sideline confusion. But after a quick huddle between the coaches, captains, and the ref, common sense prevailed—the game would go on!

That unexpected pause turned out to be just what Irlande needed. With a fresh reset, the team found their breakthrough. The ball was worked wide to Okyara, who wasted no time in delivering a pinpoint long pass over the top. Charging onto it like a seasoned striker, Rebecca made no mistake, slotting it past the keeper to put FCI up 1-0.

From there, the ladies held firm, showing resilience and composure to see out the game. With this result, FC Irlande L1 now boasts a 2-0 record in the second half of the season—momentum is well and truly on their side!

Next stop? Another three points. Let’s keep this train moving!

This Saturday was another important game for Ladies 1 against Jodoigne. With the opposing team only a few points ahead it was a crucial game to win for the ladies at this point in the season.

The home team adopted an aggressive stance right from the start, with a hard press we immediately tested Jodoigne’s defense, creating many chances to score. With impressive saves from the goalkeeper the team didn’t manage to score initially and a crucial header from Magda on our goal line also made sure we did not concede early in the game. Finally in the 30th minute we managed to score against the opposition, after a well played team chance.

The home team kept up the pressure as the first half went on, forcing the visitors to make a number of tackles. Although pushing hard, we were unable to increase their lead before the half, but the 1-0 lead gave the team a strong start to the second half.

The home team struggled to match the intensity of the first half and started the second half a little slowly. The visitors took advantage of this and stepped up their offensive to try to equalise. However we were solid defensively, working hard, with our goalkeeper making important saves throughout the half.

A goal by Olivia with 10 minutes to go secured the win, showing what this team is capable of when putting in effort and working together. With this win Ladies 1 have moved up in the rankings, ready to build on this in the next game.

On a freezing evening in Liege, Ladies 1 kick off their first game of the new year against RFC Liege, who are currently third in the league table.

The team started the game really well, despite not being able to train the past two weeks due to snow, we were compact and solid defensively and managed to play out from the back. Liege were pressing high and created some chances however we defended them well, with a good performance from our goalkeeper. Unfortunately, towards the end of the first half, Liege gained possession and put a cross into the box which they managed to finish. However, the team kept pushing on, creating a few chances and putting Liege under pressure.

We started the second half strong, connecting with each other and creating chances. However, Liege scored early, making it more difficult for us to get points from this game. Ladies 1 kept fighting and putting in a shift defensively, with our defensive line stopping their counterattacks. Through nice passing in the team we generated shots on target, however we did not manage to get the ball in the back of the net. Despite putting a lot of pressure on the opponent and putting on our super sub Virginie we didn’t manage to score a goal.

However, it is a performance to be really proud of for the team, matching a team that are so high in the standings. We will take this and prepare for our important game next week.

Saturday’s important game for Ladies 1 against Union Saint Gilloise, who were very close in the ranking, got off to a bad start as the referee did not show up. After some discussion, it was decided that Union St Gilloise’s goalkeeper coach would ref the game.

The ladies started the game well, creating a few chances from long balls over the oppositions defense. A ball played across to our winger, who was alone in front of goal, almost put the team ahead, although an unfortunate slip resulted in nothing coming from that. The first half was pretty even, with the teams coming in at 0-0 for half time and an important second half ahead.

However, we didn’t start the second half well, with the opposition creating more chances and even hitting the crossbar once. We did not manage to get close to their goal and were frustrated by the referee’s lack of fair play. Towards the end of game Union St Gilloise got a freekick at the edge of the box from which they scored. FC Irlande Ladies did unfortunalety not have enough time left of the game to respond to this and the score remained at 0-1.

A tough last game of the year for Ladies 1, but we are ready for the second half of the season.

This Saturday ladies 1 went all the way to sunny cold Charleroi for the 10th match of the season. The ladies were missing some key starting players but counted on critical help from ladies 2 (thanks AJ and Marianne!) and our brilliant coach JS.

The ladies started the match on the wrong foot, as at the very start they conceded an own goal. Charleroi took advantage of the momentum and scored the 2-0 10 minutes in. Charleroi was pressing high and making trouble for the defensive line but the ladies in green held up well. At half time, the ladies regrouped, JS got our spirits up, and Alura came in as right back.

And oh boy what a second half they played! The ladies demonstrated why the play national league, no matter how big the bench of the other team or how loud their supporters, they know how to play the beautiful game. The greens played an excellent football only exceeded by their intensity and commitment. Rebecca scored the 2-1 at the start of the second half, flawlessly finishing a 1v1 after a brilliant pass by Sarah. Sabrina, our new star in wing, also had great chances. The midfield trio, Olivia, Sarah and Rebecca, was on fire and made great plays. Nikki came in for Alessia for a last push and did well in the left wing. The ladies ended the game proud to have turned the match around and having fought until the last minute.

PS: Big kudos to Nikki for her first match back after injury and to Alura for not losing her phone.

As the storm clouds rumbled and the icy wind swept rain across Auderghem, FC Ireland prepared to face mid-league CS Pays Vert Ostiches-Ath. Despite the ominous rain clouds and vicious wind, the match got off to a good, albeit late, start, with FC Ireland demonstrating some impressive possession play, effortlessly moving the ball out from the back and through the midfield. It wasn’t long before captain and top goal scorer, Parker Watson, found the net in the 25th minute. Julia Lotina I Cartanya quickly added to the tally with a short-range shot just 6 minutes later. This isn’t to say that CS Pays Vert Ostiches-Ath didn’t put up a fight. If it hadn’t been for Okyara Hery sprinting to clear a ball off the line, the half-time score could very easily have been 2-1.

Now with the wind against them, would FC Ireland find the target so easily in the second half? This question was answered with a resounding yes in the 47th minute with a powerful strike from Parker Watson. But CS Pays Vert Ostiches-Ath fought back hard. With three half-time substitutes bringing new momentum to the team, Marie Metten got her team onto the scoreboard 17 minutes later. Over the next 20 minutes, CS Pays Vert Ostiches-Ath tried to build on this momentum and created a few chances while a panicky FC Ireland struggled to settle back into the match. However, with the addition of two last-minute substitutes, FC Ireland took back the reins and Alura Mcmorran scored her second goal of the season after just 8 minutes on the pitch. A few minutes later the final whistle marked the end of the game, and hopefully the beginning of FC Ireland’s winning streak. With the rain clouds dissipating and the howling wind reducing to a mere breeze, FC Ireland deservedly celebrated their first win of the season.

It seems that whenever we face White Star, our referees decide to vanish. Although we were skeptical about the replacement choice (he was the bartender of the buvette, a referee for ABSSA and dad of one of our opponent’s players), he ended up being one of the best referees we have had all season!

With a slight delayed start, the game kicked off!

The beginning of the game, possession was split. In minute 6 White Star was awarded a corner. After an initial clearance, on the second phase of the set piece, they managed to score. The next couple of minutes, was a bit more of a struggle for possession. White Star seemed to be slightly more awake, and in minute 13 took this advantage. They played a free kick quickly from their second half to switch the play to the other side, giving their player ample of space to run towards our goal and score.

Our captain Parker took matters into her own hands to show what FCI is about, and in minute 17 took a amazing distance shot from outside of the half-line circle, lobbing the keeper. With this, we regained possession and played good passing football.

The second half continued, and FCI demonstrated good passing play. However, in minute 55, White Star were again given a corner, and with a great first save from our keeper, the rebound fell right into one of the White Star players (coincidentally or not? We heard after the game that the player admitted to a hand ball). With this rebound they scored. Making the score 3-1. In the 81st minute, a penalty was given to White Star, for what reason, unclear. But we all know it should not have been a penalty. And so did the universe, as the player shot the ball sky-high above the goal.

A frustrating result for the team. As it does not reflect what the team demonstrated on the pitch. This week our team really showed the growth and progress that was made, connecting the defense to the midfield, and midfield with attack. With that we were able to generate many corners and free kicks.

Tough game for Ladies 1 at the weekend. Facing top of the league Renaissance A.E.C Mons, who are unbeaten this season, the team had to play a very strong opponent.

However, the team started the game very well, resisting the attacks of the opponent and creating a few chances. Mons were putting a lot of pressure on the defence with long balls, but they were also strong in dribbling and short passes to each other. Unfortunately, after 20 minutes this lead to their first goal, with a through ball splitting our defensive line. With FC Irlande being unlucky with the refereeing, they shortly scored a second and third goal. Eventually a well taken corner put the team 0 – 4 down a halftime.

FC Irlande had a strong start to the second half, playing very compact, which gave Mons few chances to score. Despite the teams efforts, Mons managed to score again late in the game resulting in a 0 – 7  loss this weekend. Nevertheless, there are plenty of positives to take away from this game and its a step forward for the team, preparing us for an important game against White Star.

A must win game for fci coming from a 1 point in 5 matches row. We are totally dominated in the first half, hardly getting the ball in the other half. Second half goes slightly better, we manage to combine a bit more but still struggling to reach our striker and get dangerous. No real opportunity for us. Jodoigne scores a 20 yard goal at the 80th and goes away with the 3 points. Very bitter Sunday for FCI still pursuing a victory, unknown feeling this season.

Match Forfeired

**Match Report: Women’s FC Irlande 1-2 A.S.E. De Chastre**

On a scorching hot day, A.S.E. De Chastre narrowly defeated Women’s FC Irlande 2-1 in a hard-fought battle. Despite Irlande dominating the majority of the game, they were unable to capitalize on their numerous chances.

From the opening whistle, FC Irlande looked the more threatening side, controlling possession and dictating the tempo. Their defense was in command, and they created several opportunities from the back and forward. However, the offense lacked the precision needed to score on De Chastre.

In a match where FC Irlande were clearly the more dominant side, it was Chastre who struck first. A long ball caught Irlande’s defense off-guard, and a well-timed finish gave Chastre the lead despite Irlande’s superiority in possession.

The second half saw more of the same, with Irlande continuing to press high and create chances, but their efforts were constantly thwarted by either Chastre’s resilient defense or their own misfortune.

Midway through the second half, Chastre doubled their lead with another opportunistic goal. A defensive mix-up in the box left a Chastre player with a clear sight of goal, and she slotted the ball home to make it 2-0. It was a harsh blow to Irlande, who had controlled the majority of the game but were now staring at defeat.

Despite the two-goal deficit, FC Irlande continued to push forward in search of a way back into the match. Their perseverance was finally rewarded in the dying moments of the game, when they were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box. Up stepped Parker, who coolly converted the penalty kick, giving Irlande a glimmer of hope.

However, with only minutes remaining, Irlande were unable to complete the comeback. Despite a valiant effort in the searing heat, the match ended 2-1 in favor of A.S.E. De Chastre.